title: The zinc-immunodeficiency relationship in old patients.
abstract: The influence of oral zinc sulphate therapy on the humoral immunity was investigated by dosages of serum immunoglobulins (Ig) and of plasma zinc levels in 12 patients with a mean age of 70 years, in comparison with other 11 patients treated with placebo and with a control group of 50 apparently healthy subjects. The results of this double-blind study demonstrated the zinc effect on the immunoregulation, as the Ig levels, and particularly those of the IgG class, initially high, were lowered in a statistically significant proportion. It is assumed that further clinical trials with various zinc concentrations could bring more information on this trace element participation in the humoral immunoregulation.
authors.affiliation: Christiana Center of Social Medicine, Bucharest.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bădulici
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chirilă
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cojocaru
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buzică
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Voicu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013431:Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013607:Tablets; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D013431:Sulfates; D013607:Tablets; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D015032:Zinc