title: Zinc sulfate improved the unbalanced T cell profiles in Der p-allergic asthma: An ex vivo study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the pathogenesis of asthma, an imbalance between helper T (Th) 1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells is believed to play a key role in asthmatic inflammatory responses. Some studies indicated that zinc deficiency increases inflammatory factor production and worsens asthma. However, the effects of zinc on T cell profiles to reduce inflammatory response remain unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the beneficial effects of zinc on isolated cell populations and cytokine levels from patients with asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six individuals Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p)-allergic and 31 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected. Harvested PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant Der p antigen in the presence or absence of zinc sulfate (25 μM or 50 μM) for 48 h. Cell surface markers and intracellular cytokine levels were examined by flow cytometry. The pro-inflammatory factors in plasma and culture supernatants were measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Zinc sulfate dramatically reduced the proportions of Th2 and Th17 cells, but increased that of Th1 and Treg cells. Zinc sulfate also markedly reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17, but increased the levels of IFN-γ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zinc ameliorates the imbalance in T cell profiles and could be a potential adjuvant therapy for Der p-induced allergic hypersensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu Lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kuang-Tien General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wang-Sheng
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Kuang-Tien General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jung-Lung
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kuang-Tien General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hsin-Hung
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Institute of Biomedical Nutrition, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.|Department of Nursing, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ya-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chiou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D016207:Cytokines; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
keywords: T cells; asthma; house dust mite; inflammation; zinc sulfate