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Zinc-altered immune function.

Klaus-Helge Ibs1, Lothar Rink

  • 1Institute of Immunology, University Hospital, Technical University of Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.

The Journal of Nutrition
|May 6, 2003
PubMed
Summary
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Zinc is crucial for immune cells, with deficiency impairing functions like phagocytosis and cytotoxicity. Supplementation can restore immune health, but excessive zinc can also harm immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Zinc is an essential trace element vital for rapidly dividing cells, particularly immune cells.
  • Immune cell function is highly sensitive to zinc concentration, with both deficiency and excess impacting responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the concentration-dependent effects of zinc on various immune cells.
  • To highlight the critical role of adequate zinc levels for maintaining immune homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of in vivo and in vitro studies examining zinc's impact on monocytes, natural killer cells, neutrophils, T cells, and B cells.
  • Analysis of cytokine release (interleukins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma) following zinc exposure.

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Main Results:

  • Zinc deficiency impairs monocyte function, natural killer cell cytotoxicity, neutrophil phagocytosis, and T cell function, while increasing autoreactivity.
  • Zinc deficiency also induces apoptosis in B cells.
  • In vitro studies show that specific zinc concentrations can activate or suppress different immune cell types and induce cytokine release.

Conclusions:

  • Immune cell function is critically dependent on zinc concentration.
  • Both zinc deficiency and high zinc dosages can negatively affect immune responses.
  • Tailored zinc supplementation is necessary to restore immune function without causing adverse effects.