The effect of zinc and vitamin C supplementation on the immune status of patients with Crohn's disease.
The immune status of 29 patients with Crohn's disease given oral supplements of Vitamin C, zinc or placebo for three-week periods was studied. Collectively, the patients showed T-cell hyporesponsiveness, as assessed by phytohaemagglutinin stimulation, which was significantly improved by Vitamin C. Both monocyte function, as assessed by latex phagocytosis, and pan T-Cell number were significantly reduced and were not influenced by supplementation. Humoral immunity, assessed by pokeweed mitogen-induced immunoglobulin synthesis, was normal and remained unchanged. Vitamin C supplements improved T-cell function in Crohn's disease, whereas neither Vitamin C nor zinc had a measurable effect on humoral immunity.
Animashaun
A
A
Department of Medicine, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
Kelleher
J
J
Heatley
R V
RV
Trejdosiewicz
L K
LK
Losowsky
M S
MS