title: Advances in the role of minerals in immunobiology.
abstract: Immunology and our understanding of its various cells, immunoglobulins and lymphokines are recent events that date from the work of Pasteur and Metchnikoff in the late nineteenth century. Experimental evidence has shown the importance of adequate dietary protein and vitamins. The present review examines past and recent experimental evidence for the role of minerals in the functioning of the immune system. Included is in vivo and in vitro information on the macrominerals; calcium and magnesium, the micro-(trace) minerals; iron, zinc, copper, and selenium as they affect various components of the immune system. The effects of gold as either gold-thiomaleate or gold-thioglucose on selenium is also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Center for Food and Nutrition, Texas Tech University, Lubbock 79409.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Spallholz
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals