[Serum values of cytokines in children with vitamin A deficiency disorders]

Vitamin A Deficiency Disorders (VADD) have been associated with alterations of cellular differentiation, regulatory functions of the immune system and increased children morbidity and mortality rates due to acute respiratory and intestinal infections. The aim of the present study was to determine serum concentrations of Thl-Th2 cytokines in VADD children. The sample consisted of 138 children (F=72; M=66; 4-7 y old) living in slums in Maracaibo, Venezuela, with an adequate nutrition assessed by clinics and anthropometry. Vitamin A status was assessed by the Conjunctival Impression Cytology (CIC) technique following the ICEPO methodology, which determines Normal CIC = control or Abnormal CIC = VADD. The cytokines IL-10, IL-4 and IFN-gamma (pg/mL) were analyzed by the ELISA method; and IL-2 (U/mL) by the EAISA method. The Student's t test was applied to detect differences between values (p<0.05). No one child presented clinical evidence of VADD; 71 children (51.40%) exhibited normal CIC (control), whereas 67 children (48.60%) presented abnormal CIC indicative of sub-clinical manifestation of VADD. The prevalence was higher, although non significant, in females, 5-6 y old children and amerindians (51.39%, 64.18% and 60.40%, respectively). A diminished serum concentration of IL-10 was detected in VADD children, in comparison with the control group (4.41 +/- 1.27 pg/mL vs. 6.03 +/- 3.90 pg/mL) (p<0.03). The rest of studied cytokines were not significantly different with respect to control. The IL-10 diminution in VADD children would be related to the alteration of the inflammatory response at the level of respiratory and intestinal epithelia affected by infections.