Effect of vitamin A supplementation on immune function of well-nourished children suffering from vitamin A deficiency in China

Abstract

Objective: To clearly clarify the protective effect of vitamin A supplementation on immune function of well-nourished children suffering from vitamin A deficiency. Methods: Three hundred sixty-two children in two kindergartens in Wuhan China were enrolled. Detailed dietary assessment and anthropometry were undertaken to facilitate the exclusion of malnourished children. Seventy vitamin A-deficient children with informed consent were randomly divided into the vitamin A-deficient-supplemented group and vitamin A-deficient placebo group, 35 vitamin A-sufficient children (age-and sex-matched with the vitamin A-deficient-supplemented group children) were selected as vitamin A-sufficient placebo group. The baseline and follow-up level of selected immune parameters of the 105 children in three intervention groups were compared. Results: The total proportion of severe and marginal vitamin A-deficient children was 10.9 and 21.96%, respectively. At baseline, the serum complement C3 and sIgA level of vitamin A-sufficient children was significantly higher than that of vitamin A-deficient children (Po0.05). However, the serum lysozyme level of vitamin A-sufficient children was inversely lower. After intervention, vitamin A-deficient-supplemented children increased serum vitamin A, complement C3 and sIgA level, but their serum lysozyme level inversely decreased. Conclusions: Vitamin A deficiency was still a serious health problem in children in China cities. Vitamin A supplementation was efficacious in ameliorating serum vitamin A status and partially impaired immune function of well-nourished children suffering from vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A Deficiency Induces Fluid Hyposecretion from the Airway Submucosal Glands of Mice

“…For example, VAD leads to a severe functional disturbance of intestinal epithelial enzymes in rats (28). In addition, the level of secretory IgA in VAD children was significantly lower than that in vitamin A-sufficient children (29). However, the effect of VAD on antimicrobial peptide secretion has not been investigated.…”

Ontogeny of Mucosal Immunity and Aging

“…In rats, vitamin A deficiency results in a 90% reduction in intestinal S-IgA responses to oral cholera vaccine (Wiedermann et al, 1993). This has been subsequently confirmed in humans, in that vitamin A-deficient children in China were found to have low levels of salivary IgA, which was reversed with vitamin A supplementation (Lin et al, 2008). Studies have shown that vitamin D plays an important role in determining T-cell-regulatory pathways (Porto et al, 2011) and, as such, has an impact on mucosal immune development (Powell et al, 2010).…”

Ingestion of micronutrient fortified breakfast cereal has no influence on immune function in healthy children: A randomized controlled trial

“…Zinc, iron, and/or vitamin A, C, and E supplementation in young, malnourished or diseased children in developing countries reduces respiratory infection morbidity and helps counter impaired immunity [25-31]. The influence of mixed micronutrient supplementation on immune function and incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in healthy children is largely unstudied [32].…”