title: Zinc deficiency and blood lymphocyte function with sickle cell disease.
abstract: A relationship between zinc deficiency and lymphocyte function in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) has been suggested. Number and function of B and T lymphocytes were assessed in 3 matched groups of children: normal subjects with Hb A and normal zinc; patients with SCD; and normal zinc (SCD-N); and patients with SCD and decreased zinc (SCD-D). Percentages of B and T cells, response to cutaneous antigens and increases in tetanus antibody titres were similar among all groups. Absolute numbers of WBC, lymphocytes and B and T cells were markedly increased in SCD-N (p less than 0.001) and to a lesser degree in SCD-D (p less than 0.01). Controls and SCD-N had a normal response to all mitogens, which was not inhibited by SCD-D sera. SCD-D had a depressed response to PHA (p less than 0.001), which was not corrected by zinc addition in vitro. These findings indicate that B cell function and T cell-dependent delayed hypersensitivity are normal in children with SCD and are independent of body zinc status. They also suggest some abnormality of T helper cells in the presence of zinc deficiency, and in the absence of a demonstrable serum inhibitor.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin / Q000032:analysis; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008934:Mitogens; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin; D015032:Zinc