Die Bedeutung von Zink für die humorale und zelluläre Immunität*

Journal/Book: Erfahrungsheilkunde. 1989; 38/9: 549-559.

Abstract: Unlike other trace elements, zinc has several unique functions in immunology; these functions distinguish it from all other elements. Its exceptional qualities are based an its properties as a catalyst of many enzyme-controlled metabolic processes. Like an adjuvant, zinc supports and even increases the humoral and cell-mediated Immunity by making the proliferative effect an the mitogenetic stimulus stronger. This is caused by the fact that zinc has a biocatalytic effect and a controlling function in the sense of a protective function mainly at the cell membrane as a cofactor of 24 important enzymes, which are known at present. A long dietary reduction, especially long parenteral feeding without consideration of the microelements, leads to an emptying of the depots of all trace elements, in a particularly striking extent, however, of zinc. This results in immunological changes, which take a subclinical course at first and are hard to make out, but which can lead to critical infections in an advanced stage. The cellmediated immunity, the antibody reaction and affinity, the complemental system, and the activity of the phagocytes are considerably decreased. The extent and the consequences of an immunodeficiency are greatly influenced by the zinc content in the blood.

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