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Zinc and T-lymphocyte function in hemodialysis patients
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Patients on hemodialysis often have low serum zinc and impaired T-cell function. This study found these issues were generally unrelated in dialysis patients, and zinc supplementation showed limited benefit for T-cell response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Long-term hemodialysis can lead to altered immune function.
- Serum zinc deficiency is common in patients undergoing dialysis.
- T-lymphocyte response is a key indicator of cellular immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum zinc levels and T-lymphocyte response in hemodialysis patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of zinc supplementation in improving T-lymphocyte function in this population.
Main Methods:
- Studied 13 long-term hemodialysis patients.
- Measured serum zinc concentrations and T-lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin.
- Administered intravenous zinc chloride to five patients with depressed T-cell response.
Main Results:
- Six patients had depressed T-cell responses, seven had normal responses.
- Patients with abnormal responses had lower mean serum zinc levels (63 +/- 11 vs 75 +/- 14 microgram/dL).
- No significant correlation was found between serum zinc and T-cell response (r = 0.16); zinc therapy improved response in only one of five patients.
Conclusions:
- Serum zinc levels and T-lymphocyte mitogen response are often unrelated in hemodialysis patients.
- Intravenous zinc supplementation demonstrated limited efficacy in improving T-cell function in this cohort.
- Further research is needed to understand immune dysregulation in dialysis patients.