1.
In chronic fatigue syndrome, the decreased levels of omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids are related to lowered serum zinc and defects in T cell activation.
Maes, M, Mihaylova, I, Leunis, JC
Neuro endocrinology letters. 2005;(6):745-51
Abstract
There is now evidence that major depression is accompanied by decreased levels of omega3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). There is a strong comorbidity between major depression and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The present study has been carried out in order to examine PUFA levels in CFS. In twenty-two CFS patients and 12 normal controls we measured serum PUFA levels using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. We found that CFS was accompanied by increased levels of omega6 PUFAs, i.e. linoleic acid and arachidonic acid (AA), and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), i.e. oleic acid. The EPA/AA and total omega3/omega6 ratios were significantly lower in CFS patients than in normal controls. The omega3/omega6 ratio was significantly and negatively correlated to the severity of illness and some items of the FibroFatigue scale, i.e. aches and pain, fatigue and failing memory. The severity of illness was significantly and positively correlated to linoleic and arachidonic acid, oleic acid, omega9 fatty acids and one of the saturated fatty acids, i.e. palmitic acid. In CFS subjects, we found significant positive correlations between the omega3/omega6 ratio and lowered serum zinc levels and the lowered mitogen-stimulated CD69 expression on CD3+, CD3+ CD4+, and CD3+ CD8+ T cells, which indicate defects in early T cell activation. The results of this study show that a decreased availability of omega3 PUFAs plays a role in the pathophysiology of CFS and is related to the immune pathophysiology of CFS. The results suggest that patients with CFS should respond favourably to treatment with--amongst other things--omega3 PUFAs, such as EPA and DHA.
2.
Plasma zinc and immune markers in runners in response to a moderate increase in training volume.
Peake, JM, Gerrard, DF, Griffin, JF
International journal of sports medicine. 2003;(3):212-6
Abstract
Changes in plasma zinc concentration and markers of immune function were examined in a group of 10 male runners (n = 10) following a moderate increase in training over four weeks. Seven sedentary males acted as controls. Fasting blood samples were taken at rest, before (T0) and after (T4) four weeks of increased (+ 16 %) training and after two weeks of reduced (-31 %) training (T6). Blood was analysed for plasma zinc concentration, differential leucocyte counts, lymphocyte subpopulations and lymphocyte proliferation using incorporation of 3H-thymidine. The runners increased their training volume by 16 % over the four weeks. When compared with the nonathletes, the runners had lower concentrations of plasma zinc (p = 0.012), CD3 + (p = 0.042) and CD19 + lymphocytes (p = 0.010) over the four weeks. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to Concanavalin A stimulation was greater in the runners (p = 0.0090). Plasma zinc concentration and immune markers remained constant during the study. Plasma zinc concentration correlated with total leucocyte counts in the athletes at T6 (r = -0.72, p < 0.05) and with Pokeweed mitogen stimulation in the nonathletes at T6 (r = -0.92, p < 0.05). Therefore, athletes are unlikely to benefit from zinc supplementation during periods of moderately increased training volume.
3.
Immune functions are maintained in healthy men with low zinc intake.
Pinna, K, Kelley, DS, Taylor, PC, King, JC
The Journal of nutrition. 2002;(7):2033-6
Abstract
Although immunity is impaired during severe zinc deficiency, there is limited information about the effects of mild zinc depletion on immune response in humans. We evaluated the effects of a zinc-restricted diet (4.6 mg/d) on several indices of immunity in 8 healthy men. The subjects consumed zinc supplements with 9.1 mg/d during the 5-wk baseline (BL) and 5-wk repletion (RP) periods, and placebos during the 10-wk zinc-restriction (ZR) period. Leukocyte numbers and functions were studied at the end of each metabolic period. After ZR, there were reductions in the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA, 1.2, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 [corrected] and 20.0 mg/L; P < 0.01) and in the in vitro secretion of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) (PHA, 2.5 mg/L; P = 0.058). These variables remained reduced (P < 0.05) even after 5 wk of zinc repletion. The amount of zinc consumed did not alter the numbers of circulating neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes, the in vitro PBMNC secretion of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha or neutrophil superoxide production. The results suggest that changes in lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2R expression may be early markers of mild zinc deficiency.
4.
Natural killer cell activity, serum immunoglobulins, complement proteins, and zinc levels in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.
Oztürk, G, Erbaş, D, Gelir, E, Gülekon, A, Imir, T
Immunological investigations. 2001;(3):181-90
Abstract
The role of the immune system in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV) was investigated. The genetic and immunological basis for psoriasis is still unknown. Because of the reports of immunological defects in this disease, we investigated serum levels of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgA, complement proteins C3, C4, serum zinc (Zn) levels and natural killer (NK) cell activities. Skin lesions of the psoriatic patients involved in the study comprised less than 10 % of the total body and the disease was in a stationary period. Zn levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. NK cell activity was measured by 51Cr (Na2 51CrO4). IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 assays were done by liquid-phase immunoprecipitation assay with nephelometric endpoint detection. IgG, IgA, C3 and C4 levels were significanty higher in patients with PV than in healty controls (p < 0.05). However, NK cell activity, serum Zn and IgM levels did not show significant differences between these two groups. There are changed immunological responses, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Many controversial results have been related to immunological parameters in psoriatic patients. Therefore, more detailed studies in this field need to be done to determine the relationship between psoriasis and the immune system.