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Zinc administration prevents wasting in stressed mice
F García Tamayo1, L I Terrazas Valdés, N Malpica López
1Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F.
Archives of Medical Research
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Zinc supplementation can counteract the negative effects of chronic stress in young mice. This treatment improved physical development and immune function, which are typically impaired by stress-induced malnutrition and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Animal Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Chronic stress in young animals retards physical development and impairs immunity.
- Stress-induced malnutrition, excessive cytokines, and glucocorticoids contribute to immune depression and wasting syndrome.
- Hypozincemia and susceptibility to infections are associated with chronic stress and wasting syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prophylactic effect of zinc treatment on malnutrition and immune competence in chronically stressed mice.
- To assess zinc's role in mitigating stress-induced physical and immunological deficits.
Main Methods:
- Chronic stress was induced in newborn Balb/c mice via intraperitoneal injections of heat-killed bacteria for 4 weeks.
- Stressed mice received additional intraperitoneal zinc acetate treatment.
- Immune competence was evaluated by antibody response to sheep red blood cells and Con-A stimulated splenic lymphocyte proliferation.
Main Results:
- Chronically stressed mice exhibited anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea, skin infections, reduced antibody response, and decreased lymphocyte proliferation.
- Zinc acetate treatment significantly improved the clinical condition of stressed mice.
- Zinc supplementation restored immunocompetence in stressed mice to levels comparable to non-stressed controls.
Conclusions:
- Zinc supplementation can effectively ameliorate the detrimental effects of chronic stress on growth and corporal weight in young mice.
- Zinc treatment significantly improves immune competence, counteracting stress-induced immune depression.
- Zinc is crucial for mitigating the adverse impacts of chronic stress on physical development and immunological health in juvenile animals.