Related Experiment Videos
Supplementation with selenium restores age-related decline in immune cell function
M Roy1, L Kiremidjian-Schumacher, H I Wishe
1Basic Science Division, New York University Dental Center, New York 10010, USA.
Summary
Dietary selenium supplementation improved immune cell function in aged mice. Selenium enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic activity, restoring age-related immune deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Aging is associated with a decline in immune function, including reduced lymphocyte responsiveness.
- Selenium is an essential trace element with known immunomodulatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dietary selenium supplementation on immune cell function in aged mice.
- To determine if selenium can restore age-related deficits in lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic activity.
Main Methods:
- Aged male C57BL/6JNIA mice were supplemented with selenium (2.00 ppm) for 8 weeks.
- Lymphocyte responses to mitogen and alloantigen stimulation were assessed.
- Cell proliferation (3H-thymidine incorporation) and cytotoxic effector cell activity against tumor cells were measured.
Main Results:
- Selenium supplementation significantly increased lymphocyte blastogenesis and proliferation in aged mice.
- Aged mice receiving selenium showed enhanced cytotoxic lymphocyte numbers and tumor cell-killing capacity.
- Selenium restored age-related immune deficiencies to levels seen in young adult mice.
Conclusions:
- Dietary selenium supplementation can restore age-related immune defects in mice.
- Selenium enhances lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic effector cell function.
- The mechanism may involve increased high-affinity IL-2 receptors, independent of IL-2 production.