thymic-factor--circulating and Vitamin-A-Deficiency

Cell-mediated immunity is invariably impaired in protein-energy malnutrition. The effect of selected nutrient deficiencies on serum thymic factor activity was assessed in deprived rats and pair-fed controls. Deficits of calories, zinc or pyridoxine resulted in significant lowering of serum thymic factor activity whereas vitamin A deficiency did not have any effect. It is suggested that variants nutrients modulate different steps of cell-mediated immunity and that reduced thymic hormone activity may be the underlying mechanism of imparied immunity in some but not all nutritional deficiencies.

Topics: Animals; Deficiency Diseases; Energy Intake; Male; Rats; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Hormones; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Zinc