title: Synergistic effect of zinc and vitamin A on T cell functions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether supplementation of zinc and vitamin A may improve the function of T cells in human PBMC.
  
  
  METHODS
  T cells were separated and cultured in vitro, supplemented with either Zn or vitamin A alone, or both Zn and vitamin A (10(-6) mol/L, 10(-5) mol/L, 10(-4) mol/L). After harvesting, cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, expression or function of cell-surface molecules, such as CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ were detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher proliferation level and lower apoptosis level were observed in cells supplemented with both Zn and vitamin A, showing the strongest effect (P < 0.05). Zn-supplement increased the CD4+/CD3+ cell percentage, and simultaneously decreased the CD8+/CD3+ cell population. VA-supplement showed the opposite effect in comparison with Zn-supplement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  T-cell function can be improved, depending on the zinc and/or vitamin A supplemented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Huaxi College of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 641000, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Ting-Xin
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc