Deficiencies in selenium and/or vitamin E lower the resistance of mice to Heligmosomoides polygyrus infections.
Previous studies have shown that deficiencies in selenium (Se) and/or vitamin E (VE) can exacerbate the infectivity and pathogenesis of coxsackievirus B3 and influenza. Both Se and VE play a role in immune function and antioxidant defense. To determine whether these deficiencies would affect the normal course of infection with a metazoan parasite, mice were made deficient in Se and/or VE and inoculated with the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Both primary and secondary infections were assessed. Although the course of a primary infection with H. polygyrus was unaffected by diet, diets deficient in Se, VE, and both Se and VE (Se/VE double-deficiency) all caused delayed adult worm expulsion and increased fecundity during a secondary infection; suggesting an impaired intestinal response. H. polygyrus-induced IL-4 levels were diet-independent; but Se/VE double-deficiency blocked the H. polygyrus-induced IL-4 receptor-associated decrease in sodium-dependent glucose absorption in the jejunum that contributes to worm expulsion. In contrast, Se/VE double-deficiency had no effect on the infection-induced, IL-4R-associated increase in epithelial cell permeability that accompanies the infection. These results suggest that both Se and VE are required for specific IL-4-related changes in intestinal physiology that promote host protection against H. polygyrus.
Smith
Allen
A
Nutrient Requirements and Functions Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA.
Madden
Kathleen B
KB
Yeung
Karla J Au
KJ
Zhao
Aiping
A
Elfrey
Justin
J
Finkelman
Fred
F
Levander
Orville
O
Shea-Donohue
Terez
T
Urban
Joseph F
JF
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007814:Larva; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009351:Nematospiroides dubius / Q000254:growth & development; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000276:immunology; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D012643:Selenium