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Supplement

Zinc Status in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection^{1 ,3}

Center for Disease Prevention, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136

²To whom correspondence should be addressed.

There is substantial evidence to support an important role for zinc in immune processes. Adequate zinc status is essential for T-cell division, maturation and differentiation; lymphocyte response to mitogens; programmed cell death of lymphoid and myeloid origins; gene transcription; and biomembrane function. Lymphocytes are one of the types of cells activated by zinc. Zinc is the structural component of a wide variety of proteins, neuropeptides, hormone receptors and polynucleotides. Among the best known zinc-dependent hormones/enzymes are Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase, an enzyme component of the antioxidant defense system, and thymulin, which is essential for the formation of T-lymphocytes. In animals and humans, zinc deficiency results in rapid and marked atrophy of the thymus, impaired cell-mediated cutaneous sensitivity and lymphopenia. Primary and secondary antibody responses are reduced in zinc deficiency, particularly for those antigens that require T-cell help, such as those in heterologous red blood cells. In addition, antibody response and the generation of splenic cytotoxic T cells after immunization are reduced. Zinc also inhibits the production of tumor necrosis factor, which is implicated in the pathophysiology of cachexia and wasting in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

KEY WORDS: • zinc • human immunodeficiency virus • nutrition • disease progression • supplementation

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