Original researchβ-Carotene and selenium supplementation enhances immune response in aged humans
Section snippets
Study Populations
Healthy, free-living aged adults (over 55 years of age) living in southern Arizona volunteered and signed an informed-consent form to participate in this study, which was approved by the University of Arizona Human Subjects Committee. Participants were screened to determine eligibility by obtaining medical histories and current nutrient supplementation practices as well as to assess subject's current physical well being. Participants taking high levels of nutrient supplements or having chronic
Participants' Characteristics
Participants' characteristics are noted by supplementation group in Table 1. No classic symptoms of toxicity (hypercarotendermia for β-carotene or garlicky odor to the breath of those supplemented with selenium) were noted. All groups had pill consumption compliance of 90% or greater as determined by pill counts every month. There was a 22% overall attrition rate, therefore, subjects included in statistical analysis included: 8 in the placebo group, 8 in the selenium group, 12 in the
Discussion
Our results indicate that supplementation for 6 months with β-carotene and selenium in aged adults caused changes in lymphocyte populations and function. These changes may represent a portion of β-carotene's and selenium's effects on cancer and disease prevention. One of the most intriguing findings was the elevation in NK cell cytotoxicity after 3 months of selenium or β-carotene supplementation. However, after 6 months of supplementation NK cell activity returned to pretreatment levels. Upon
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by Wallace Genetic Foundation, Inc. and Phi Beta Psi Sorority.
We gratefully acknowledge and thank Barb Corilus for her expertise in flow cytometry and Dr. Andrea Arquitt for determining selenium concentrations.
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2022, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and BiologyCitation Excerpt :Selenium supplementation has been found to improve the immunological functions of elderly individuals. The addition of selenium to the diet increased total T cells, particularly CD4+ T cells, as well as the percentage of NK cells, leading to an increase in NK-cell cytotoxicity [50]. Furthermore, selenium deficiency can be associated with a higher risk of death in severely ill individuals.
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Current address: Biogen Inc., 12 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Current address: Shokei-Gakuen University, Department of Domestic Sciences, Kumamoto, Japan.
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Current address: Duquesne University, Department of Clinical Sciences, 125 Health Sciences Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA.