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Zinc-dependent low thymic hormone level in type I diabetes
E Mocchegiani1, M Boemi, P Fumelli
1Gerontology Research Department, Italian National Research Centers on Aging, Ancona.
Diabetes
|July 1, 1989
Summary
Type 1 diabetes is linked to low zinc levels, impacting immune function. This study shows diabetes impairs thymulin (a zinc-bound hormone) activation, not its production, potentially explaining immune issues.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Zinc is crucial for immune system function.
- Thymic hormones, like serum thymic factor (STF), require zinc to be active (thymulin, Zn-STF).
- Diabetes is associated with low zinc and impaired T-lymphocyte function.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate serum zinc and plasma thymulin levels in type 1 diabetes.
- Determine if diabetes affects thymulin activation or production.
- Explore the link between zinc deficiency and immune abnormalities in diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Measured serum zinc and plasma active (Zn-STF) and inactive (STF) thymulin in 15 type 1 diabetic patients and controls.
- Assessed metabolic control using glycosylated hemoglobin.
- Performed in vitro zinc addition to diabetic plasma samples.
Main Results:
- Diabetic patients had significantly lower serum zinc levels.
- Active thymulin (Zn-STF) was reduced, while inactive STF was elevated in diabetics.
- In vitro zinc addition normalized total thymulin levels in diabetic plasma.
- Zinc levels did not correlate with metabolic control (HbA1c).
Conclusions:
- Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a peripheral defect in zinc saturation of thymic hormone, not thymic production failure.
- Reduced active thymulin in diabetes, even with good metabolic control, may underlie immune dysfunction.
- Zinc supplementation could potentially address these immune abnormalities.