Jambon Bernard, Ziegler O., Maire Bernard, Hutin M.F., Parent Gérard, Fall M., Burnel D., Duheille J. (1988). Thymulin (facteur thymique sérique) and zinc contents of the thymus glands of malnourished children. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 48 (2), p. 335-342. ISSN 0002-9165.
Titre du document
Thymulin (facteur thymique sérique) and zinc contents of the thymus glands of malnourished children
Année de publication
1988
Type de document
Article
Auteurs
Jambon Bernard, Ziegler O., Maire Bernard, Hutin M.F., Parent Gérard, Fall M., Burnel D., Duheille J.
Source
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1988,
48 (2), p. 335-342 ISSN 0002-9165
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) leads to an immune deficiency, which is now well documented. Some investigators have suggested that the associated zinc deficiency is important in thymic involution and changes in cellular immunity. To evaluate the respective roles of nutritional deficiency, infection, and zinc in the alteration of thymic function, we measured the amounts of thymulin (facteur thymique sérique, or FTS) and of Zn in the thymus glands of 58 Senegalese children who died in various stages of malnutrition. In the severe forms (marasmus, kwashiorkor, and marasmic kwashiorkor) the thymus was tiny and contained very little thymulin. The Zn content of the thymus was high whatever the nutritional state of the subject and was related significantly only to the presence of infections. In Senegalese children thymic atrophy and depleted thymulin content are associated with severe PEM but not systemic infection or depleted thymic Zn content. (Résumé d'auteur)
Plan de classement
Pathologies nutritionnelles et surveillance nutritionnelle [054PHYMED02]
