title: Effect of improved zinc status on T helper cell activation and TH1/TH2 ratio in healthy elderly individuals.
abstract: Mild zinc deficiency is a common condition in healthy elderly individuals leading to impaired cell-mediated immune response. Here we report the effect of improved zinc status on TH1/TH2 balance and on the activation status of T helper cells in 19 healthy elderly subjects aged 69.8 +/- 5.1 years. Our investigations revealed a mild zinc deficiency which was adjusted by oral zinc supplementation for seven weeks. Improved serum zinc levels significantly reduced levels of activated T helper cells whereas changes in TH1/TH2 ratio (determined by CCR4 and CCR5 expression) were not observed. These findings suggest that elderly individuals may benefit from moderate zinc supplementation due to improved immune response leading to reduced incidences of autoimmune diseases and infections.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kahmann
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Uciechowski
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Warmuth
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malavolta
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mocchegiani
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rink
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D054398:Receptors, CCR4; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000032:analysis; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: C515354:CCR4 protein, human; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D054398:Receptors, CCR4; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D015032:Zinc