Interleukin-1? (IL-1?) production by alveolar macrophages in patients with acute lung diseases: the influence of zinc supplementation

Abstract

The relationship between zinc treatment and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) production by cultured alveolar macrophages (AM) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia was investigated. AM (1 x 10(6) cells/ml) from 6 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 7 patients with bacterial pneumonia and 4 healthy volunteers were cultured with either two different concentrations of zinc chloride (Znl = 1 microgram/ml and Zn2 = 5 micrograms/ml) or cell culture media alone (control) for an initial period of 6 hours and then stimulated with 3 different immunomodulator agents and reincubated for a further 24 h. IL-1 alpha in culture supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the absence of Znl or Zn2 Polyinosinic:Polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C 1 microgram/ml), Lipopolysaccharide (LPS 100 ng/ml) and Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha 10 ng/ml) significantly increased the production of IL-1 alpha from AM in both patients and healthy subjects (p < 0.001) compared to control (media only). Zn1 and Zn2 significantly increased the production of IL-1 alpha (p < 0.001) in culture supernatants in the absence of either Poly I:C, LPS or TNF-alpha in patients but not in healthy group. In contrast, the presence of LPS or TNF-alpha significantly reduced Zn1 or Zn2-stimulated release of IL-1 alpha from AM in patients and healthy subjects (p < 0.01). However, Poly I:C decreased only Zn1-stimulated release of IL-1 alpha. These results suggest that zinc can regulate the production of IL-1 alpha from AM in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or bacterial pneumonia.

Tuberculosis and nutrition

“…Zinc supplementation of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia was shown to increase immune function 32. In a study, it was found that PPD indurations were larger in children receiving zinc and zinc increases the PPD induration size in children irrespective of nutritional status 33…”

Immunobiology of mild micronutrient deficiencies

“…Fan et al (1996) observed that impaired leucocyte adhesion and lymphocyte function in zinc deficient premature infants were reversed following zinc therapy. Abul et al (1995) documented the regulatory role of zinc on the production of IL-1 a from alveolar macrophages of patients with acute lung disease. In addition to these effects, zinc supplements lead to accelerated regeneration of mucosa, increase in the levels of brush border enzymes, enhanced cellular immunity and higher level of secretory antibodies as documented by Folwaczny et al (1997).…”

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of vitamin A and zinc supplementation in persons with tuberculosis in Indonesia: effects on clinical response and nutritional status

“…Thus, it was suggested that plasma zinc status is likely a marker for monitoring the severity of disease and the response to therapy (12). In addition, zinc supplementation of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia was shown to increase immune function (13). Studies in humans and animals have shown that zinc deficiency impairs the synthesis of retinol binding protein (14) and reduces plasma retinol concentrations (15).…”