Reduced production of immunoregulatory cytokines in vitamin A- and zinc-deficient Indonesian infants.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine effects of vitamin A, zinc and iron deficiency in Indonesian infants on the ability to produce immunoregulatory cytokines.

DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS:

Immunological assessment was done in 59 infants participating in a cross-sectional nutritional survey in rural West Java, Indonesia. Production of T-helper cell type-1 (Th1, cell-mediated) cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and T-helper cell type-2 (Th2, humoral) cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and phytohemagglutinin in an ex vivo whole blood culture system. Circulating neopterin concentrations were determined as an indicator of in vivo macrophage activity.

RESULTS:

Of the infants, 48% were vitamin A deficient, 44% were anemic (with 17% having iron deficiency anemia), and 17% were zinc deficient. Vitamin-A deficient infants had significantly reduced ex vivo production of IFN-gamma, but also significantly higher circulating neopterin concentrations. Production of IFN-gamma and IL-12 were strongly correlated, IFN-gamma and IL-18 production were not. Zinc deficiency was accompanied by significantly reduced white blood cell counts and reduced ex vivo production of IL-6. Iron status was not related to cytokine production.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study shows that in vitamin A deficiency there is Th1 dominance in a steady state, combined however with impairment of the Th1 response after stimulation, whereas in zinc deficiency, there is a decreased Th2 response. Overall, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency have marked albeit different effects on the immunocompetence of infants, affecting both cell-mediated and humoral components of the immune system.

• Authors: F T Wieringa, M A Dijkhuizen, C E West, J van der Ven-Jongekrijg, J W M van der Meer, Muhilal
• Journal: European journal of clinical nutrition (Eur J Clin Nutr) Vol. 58 Issue 11 Pg. 1498-504 (Nov 2004) ISSN: 0954-3007 [Print] England
• PMID: 15162133 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Interleukin-18
• Interleukin-6
• Interleukin-12
• Neopterin
• Interferon-gamma
• Iron
• Zinc

Topics

• Antibody Formation
• Cohort Studies
• Cytokines (biosynthesis, blood)
• Deficiency Diseases (blood, immunology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunity, Cellular
• Indonesia
• Infant
• Interferon-gamma (biosynthesis)
• Interleukin-12 (biosynthesis)
• Interleukin-18 (biosynthesis)
• Interleukin-6 (biosynthesis)
• Iron (immunology)
• Iron Deficiencies
• Male
• Neopterin (blood, immunology)
• Th2 Cells (immunology)
• Vitamin A Deficiency (blood, immunology)
• Zinc (deficiency, immunology)