title: Effect of vitamin and trace element supplementation on immune indices in healthy elderly.
abstract: Aging is associated with a progressive decline in the immune system and a greater susceptibility to infection. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study, examined the effect of a vitamin and trace element supplement on immune responses of healthy, noninstitutionalized elderly subjects. Forty-seven subjects aged 61-79 years were randomly assigned to receive placebo or micronutrient supplementation for one year. Thirty-five individuals completed the one-year study. Immune function was assessed before and after the period of supplementation. Cell-mediated immune function assessed by the number of T cells and subsets remained constant in the supplemented group and there was a significant increase in CD57 natural killer cells. In contrast, a significant decrease in T cells, CD4 cells, and CD4: CD8 ratio was noted in the placebo group. Supplementation with micronutrients can play a crucial role in the maintenance of normal immune function in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pike
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Chandra
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D018959:CD57 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins