Zink und seine Bedeutung in humoraler und zellulärer Immunität

Abstract: Alterations in the immune response are one characteristic symptom in zinc deficiency. The altered immune response due to zinc deficiency can be easily corrected with oral zinc supplements. The cellular immunity is mainly affected in zinc deficiency, however, in severe zinc deficiency basically all components of the immune system may be impaired. Zinc plays an important role in the activation of the immune system and the activity of thymulin depends on an adequate zinc nutriture. Despite the importance of zinc in immunomodulation, it is not only zinc which is of importance but the balance between all essential trace elements and vitamins. Zinc may be of therapeutic importance, however, only a therapeutic approach based on adequate diagnostic procedures should be practiced, since zinc may have also different adverse effects on many physiological functions. Some basic aspects of the zinc metabolism, some diagnostic aspects of the zinc nutriture and selected aspects of the importance of zinc in cellular and humoral immunity will be discussed.

Keyword(s): Zelluläres Immunsystem

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