Vitamin B-6 deficiency impairs interleukin 2 production and lymphocyte proliferation in elderly adults

Article Abstract:

The immune system is the body's natural defense system against infection caused by microorganisms and foreign substances that enter the body. Previous studies have shown that the function of the immune system decreases with increasing age, and this may account for the increased susceptibility to infection and disease experienced by older people. These studies have reported that the production of interleukin 2 (a protein required for normal immune function) is reduced in elderly subjects. Studies performed in laboratory animals have reported that vitamin B-6 deficiency can impair the function of the immune system by reducing the production of antibodies and the number of cells (called lymphocytes) that make antibodies. Other studies have shown that elderly people have a high risk of developing vitamin B-6 deficiency. It is estimated that 50 percent of the elderly population has dietary intakes of vitamin B-6 that are lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Therefore, a study was performed to determine the effects of vitamin B-6 deficiency on the immune system in elderly people. Eight healthy volunteers (average age of 64 years) followed a diet containing no vitamin B-6 for up to 20 days, followed by three separate 21-day periods in which vitamin B-6 was added back to the diet in increasing amounts. Following the period with no vitamin B-6, there was a significant reduction in the number of lymphocytes in the blood and in interleukin 2 production. When vitamin B-6 was added back to the diet, both the number of lymphocytes and interleukin 2 production returned to normal. It is concluded that vitamin B-6 deficiency impairs the function of the immune system in elderly people, and that adding vitamin B-6 to the diet can reverse the effects of vitamin B-6 depletion. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Aging, Measurement, Demographic aspects, Lymphocytes, Interleukin-2, Vitamin B6 deficiency, Pyridoxine deficiency

---

Vitamin E supplementation enhances cell-mediated immunity in healthy elderly subjects

Article Abstract:

Research studies have shown that the aging process affects the functioning of the immune system. With age, cell-mediated immunity, which involves cells such as the T cells, appears to decline. In animals, vitamin E was shown to enhance cell-mediated immunity. In this study, 32 healthy subjects, aged 60 or older, were given vitamin E supplements, and the effect on their immune responses was measured. For 30 days they lived in a metabolic research unit, and were given either 800 milligrams dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) or inert placebos. The subjects who received vitamin E had higher levels of vitamin E in their blood plasma and certain blood cells, and various indicators of immune responding were enhanced. It should be noted that most, but not all, of the subjects taking vitamin E exhibited improved immune responsiveness, especially those who showed improvement in all the indices measured. The results indicate that vitamin E supplements taken over the short term improve the immune function of healthy, older adults. However, larger studies will be needed before vitamin E supplementation can be recommended for the elderly population. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Nutritional aspects, Vitamin E in human nutrition, Cellular immunity

---

Vitamin E supplementation and in vivo immune response in healthy elderly subjects: a randomized controlled trial

Article Abstract:

Vitamin E supplements may boost certain immune functions in the elderly. Researchers randomly assigned 88 elderly people to take 60, 200 or 800 milligrams (mg) per day of vitamin E for 235 days. Those taking 200 mg per day experienced an increase in delayed-type hypersensitivity and produced higher levels of antibodies to a hepatitis B vaccine and tetanus vaccine. However, vitamin E did not boost the immune response to a diphtheria vaccine nor did it change the levels of T and B cells. The vitamin produced no significant adverse effects.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Routine human immunodeficiency virus infection screening of women requesting induced first-trimester abortion in an inner-city population
• Abstracts: Bakery products lower serum cholesterol concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. High-carbohydrate, high-fiber diets increase peripheral insulin sensitivity in healthy young and old adults

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.