ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION RESTORES PLASMA-CONCENTRATIONS OF ZINC AND THYMULIN IN PATIENTS WITH CROHNS-DISEASE

The aim of this work was to evaluate whether oral supplementation with zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) could restore thymic endocrine function in pati ents with Crohn's disease who showed decreased plasma concentrations o f zinc and active thymulin, a zinc-dependent thymic hormone. Twenty-se ven patients in clinical remission were randomly assigned to receive, for 3 months, one of the following treatments: 60 mg/day ZnSO4; 200 mg /day ZnSO4 or placebo. Plasma thymulin activity and zinc concentration s significantly increased only in patients treated with 200 mg/day ZnS O4. Lymphocyte subpopulations, within the range of normality before zi nc supplementation, were unaffected by any of the administered treatme nts. In conclusion, low plasma concentrations of zinc and thymulin in Crohn's disease patients were restored by the administration of high d oses of zinc.