Hypothyroidism-related zinc deficiency leads to suppression of T lymphocyte activity

[helvella]

We've seen zinc mentioned quite a few times over the years.

Endocrine. 2019 May 5. doi: 10.1007/s12020-019-01936-7. [Epub ahead of print]

Hypothyroidism-related zinc deficiency leads to suppression of T lymphocyte activity.

Paulazo MA1, Klecha AJ1,2, Sterle HA1, Valli E1, Torti H2, Cayrol F1, Barreiro Arcos ML1, Cremaschi GA3,4.

Author information

1 Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (BIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, 3er piso (1107 AAZ), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

2 Cátedra de Física, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

3 Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (BIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, 3er piso (1107 AAZ), Buenos Aires, Argentina. [e-mail].

4 Cátedra de Física, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. [e-mail].

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Hypothyroidism has been shown to induce immunosuppression and both the thyroid status and immunity are affected by zinc deficiency. However, the impact of hypothyroidism on zinc metabolism and its possible relationship with the immune status has not yet been deeply explored. Here, our aim was to study whether hypothyroidism may alter zinc metabolism and thus lead to the impairment of T lymphocyte activity.

METHODS:

Variations in the distribution of zinc in the body were evaluated in PTU-treated hypothyroid mice. The effects of hypothyroidism and zinc deficiency were studied on T lymphocyte proliferation after stimulation both in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro assays, thyroid hormone-free or zinc chelator (TPEN or DTPA)-supplemented media were used. For in vivo assays, lymphocyte activity was evaluated in cells from hypothyroid, T3-treated, and zinc-supplemented mice.

RESULTS:

Hypothyroid mice showed lower levels of zinc in femur and lymph nodes than controls. T3 and zinc supplementation reversed these effects. In vitro, both thyroid hormone and zinc deficiency led to a decreased response to mitogen stimulation. However, only zinc deficiency was able to induce lymphocyte apoptosis. Mitogen-stimulated T cells from hypothyroid mice showed impaired proliferation, accompanied by decreased activation of PKC and lower levels of p-ERK, effects that were reversed by T3 replacement or zinc supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results show an important role of zinc deficiency in hypothyroid-mediated T-cell suppression and suggest the importance of evaluating zinc levels and restoring them when necessary to maintain an efficient immune response in hypothyroid patients.

KEYWORDS:

Hypothyroidism; T lymphocytes; Thyroid hormones; Zinc

PMID: 31056723

DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-01936-7

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/310...

[jgelliss]

Wow !! hevella Thank You so Much For Sharing . This is very interesting . Nutrients do play a large roll in our wellbeing after all .

[Polly91 in reply to jgelliss]

This is so interesting. Thank you for sharing. I recently found out I am zinc deficient & I always succumb to viruses and other infections.

[silverfox7]

When I was first diagnosed I wasgiven zinc and selenium. Then years later I saw it recommended if auto immune which I'm not but I still take them and will carry on! Interesting info! Thank you

[Hennerton]

This is fascinating. Thank you for finding it. For a long time I could not understand why I was such a poor healer. A cut on my finger would be an absolute pain, often getting infected and once or twice needing an antibiotic ointment. Then I noticed that my husband takes zinc every day and I began too. Since then I have had no problem....