thymic-factor--circulating and Kwashiorkor

This work investigates how thymic dysfunction contributes to the depression of cell-mediated immunity in protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). In Bolivian children hospitalized for severe PEM, the size of the thymus was measured by echography, and the lymphocyte subpopulations were detected by using monoclonal antibodies. These data were compared with those obtained from healthy control subjects. Regardless of the clinical form of PEM, our results show a high degree of T lymphocyte immaturity in severely malnourished children, which correlates with a severe involution of the thymus. Before in vitro incubation with thymulin, this significant increase in the percentage of circulating immature T lymphocytes was concomitant with a decrease in mature T lymphocytes and a slight increase in cytotoxic T subpopulations. After in vitro incubation with thymulin, immature T lymphocytes decreased and mature T lymphocytes increased.

Topics: Anthropometry; BCG Vaccine; Child, Preschool; Erythrocyte Count; Female; Hemoglobins; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Immunity, Cellular; Infant; Kwashiorkor; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Subsets; Male; Protein-Energy Malnutrition; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Gland

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) leads to an immune deficiency, which is now well documented. Some investigators have suggested that the associated zinc deficiency is important in thymic involution and changes in cellular immunity. To evaluate the respective roles of nutritional deficiency, infection, and zinc in the alteration of thymic function, we measured the amounts of thymulin (facteur thymic serique, or FTS) and of Zn in the thymus glands of 58 Senegalese children who died in various stages of malnutrition. In the severe forms (marasmus, kwashiorkor, and marasmic kwashiorkor) the thymus was tiny and contained very little thymulin. The Zn content of the thymus was high whatever the nutritional state of the subject and was related significantly only to the presence of infections. In Senegalese children thymic atrophy and depleted thymulin content are associated with severe PEM but not systemic infection or depleted thymic Zn content.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Infections; Kwashiorkor; Male; Mice; Protein-Energy Malnutrition; Swine; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Gland; Thymus Hormones; Zinc

Facteur thymique sérique activity was evaluated in relation to different types of malnutrition in Senegalese children aged 5 to 42 months. They were classified in four groups: controls, moderate malnutrition, marasmus, and kwashiorkor, according to anthropometric measurements and clinical examination. The two latter groups were characterized by very depressed levels of total protein, album in, transferrin and prealbumin, and by high cortisol concentrations. Zinc status was marginal in all children. Facteur thymique sérique activity, determined by the rosette assay, was normal in the malnourished patients suggesting that moderate as well as severe malnutrition is not necessarily associated with depressed levels of circulating thymic hormone. These results are discussed in relation to zinc status and infections.

Topics: Blood Proteins; Child, Preschool; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Kwashiorkor; Nutrition Disorders; Protein-Energy Malnutrition; Rosette Formation; Senegal; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Hormones; Zinc