ORAL ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION IN DOWNS-SYNDROME SUBJECTS DECREASED INFECTIONS AND NORMALIZED SOME HUMORAL AND CELLULAR IMMUNE PARAMETERS

The effect of 4 months of oral zinc supplementation on immune function s in non-institutionalized young female and male Down's syndrome (DS) subjects was studied. Along with plasma levels of zinc, the immune par ameters, measured before and after zinc treatment, were plasma levels of thymulin, the percentage and the absolute number of circulating whi te blood cells, total lymphocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations, the mito gen-induced lymphocyte proliferation, the production of interleukin-2, and the activity of stimulated granulocytes. Some immune parameters w ere significantly influenced by zinc treatment. In particular, a norma lization of thymulin and zinc plasma levels were found in these subjec ts after zinc supplementation. At the end of the clinical trial, in vi tro lymphocyte proliferation and polymorphonuclear activity also incre ased and reached normal values. Zinc administration exerted a positive clinical effect in these children, since a reduced incidence of infec tions was found.