Micronutrient status and immune function in tuberculosis

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1990, Vol.587 (1), p.59-69
• Main Authors: McMurray, D.N. (Texas AandM University, College Station, TX), Bartow, R.A, Mintzer, C.L, Hernandez-Frontera, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; BCG Vaccine - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; CARENCE EN OLIGOELEMENT; CARENCE EN VITAMINE; DEFICIENCIA DE OLIGOELEMENTOS; DEFICIENCIA DE VITAMINAS; DISEASE RESISTANCE; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Guinea Pigs; HUMAN NUTRITION; IMMUNE RESPONSE; Immunity - drug effects; Immunity - physiology; Immunobiology; INVESTIGACION; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; MALNUTRICION; MALNUTRITION; Modulation of the immune response (stimulation, suppression); Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - isolation & purification; NUTRICION HUMANA; NUTRITION HUMAINE; Nutritional Status; Protein Deficiency - complications; RECHERCHE; REPONSE IMMUNITAIRE; RESISTANCE AUX MALADIES; RESISTENCIA A LA ENFERMEDAD; RESPUESTA INMUNOLOGICA; Rosette Formation; Spleen - microbiology; TRACE ELEMENT DEFICIENCIES; Tuberculin Test; TUBERCULOSE; TUBERCULOSIS; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - etiology; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - immunology; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - prevention & control; Vitamin D - administration & dosage; Vitamin D - physiology; Vitamin D Deficiency - complications; VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES; Zinc - deficiency; Zinc - physiology
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1990.tb00134.x

Both macro- and micronutrients have been shown to affect resistance to tuberculosis, which is mediated by macrophages activated by T lymphocytes. Others have demonstrated inhibition of mycobacterial replication in macrophage cultures treated with vitamin D or retinoic acid. We examined the influence of dietary zinc and vitamin D on resistance to tuberculosis. Guinea pigs were fed diets containing varying levels of zinc or vitamin D, and infected 6 weeks later by the respiratory route with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Zinc-deficient guinea pigs had fewer circulating T cells and reduced tuberculin (PPD) hypersensitivity. The response of peritoneal exudate macrophages to the lymphokine MIF was impaired. Zinc deprivation did not influence disease resistance in BCG-vaccinated or nonvaccinated animals. Vitamin D deficiency adversely affected the tuberculin reaction and ability to control the infection. Lymphocytes from vitamin D-deprived animals did not proliferate normally when cultured with PPD. A diet supplemented with vitamin D enhanced T cell responses to PPD in vivo. These results suggest that zinc and vitamin D status affect immunity to tuberculosis.