Journal article
Authors list: Grosshauser, M; Becker, K; Riemann, D; Langner, J; Stangl, GI; Eder, K
Publication year: 2006
Pages: 79-85
Journal: Trace Elements and Electrolytes
Volume number: 23
Issue number: 2
ISSN: 0946-2104
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.5414/TEP23079
Publisher: Dustri-Verlag
Abstract:
Adequate amounts of zinc are essential to maintain the integrity of the immune system. Zinc inadequacy is known to be more prevalent in athletic population than in healthy sedentary individuals. Thus, athletes are a possible target group that might benefit from a zinc supplementation. This study was performed to investigate circulating numbers of immunologically important cell subtypes of athletes in response to daily orally administered zinc. Therefore, 36 highly trained athletes were supplemented with 20 mg zinc daily for 6 weeks. To assess the zinc effects in relation to initial zinc status, the athletes were first classified in 3 groups based on their plasma zinc concentration: <80 mu g/dl, Group I (n = 9); 80-95 mu g/dl, Group 2 (n = 13); >95 mu g/dl, Group 3 (n = 14). The zinc binding capacity of plasma was measured to obtain additional information about zinc status. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulins, leukocyte subpopulations and T cell amounts in response to ex-vivo stimulation were measured in each group before and after zinc supplementation. Zinc supplementation improved the plasma zinc status of athletes from Group 1. That was obvious by an increase of the concentration of plasma zinc and a decrease of the zinc binding capacity. In Groups 2 and 3 zinc status was not altered by a supplementation of zinc. Concentrations of immunoglobulins were not altered by zinc supplementation. Irrespective of the initial plasma zinc concentration, the numbers of lymphocyte subpopulations (HLA-DR+ T cells, CD16(+) T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, CD4(+) T helper cells, CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells) were moderately decreased in response to zinc supplementation. Additionally, irrespective of the zinc status at the beginning of the study, supplemental zinc diminished the number of INF-gamma and IL-2 producing T cells in response to an ex-vivo activation. Health conditions or physical performance were not altered after 6 weeks of zinc supplementation. In conclusion, oral administration of zinc improved zinc status of athletes with plasma zinc concentrations less than 80 mu g/dl, but the immune functions and health conditions of highly trained athletes did not benefit from an intervention with zinc.
Citation Styles
Harvard Citation style: Grosshauser, M., Becker, K., Riemann, D., Langner, J., Stangl, G. and Eder, K. (2006) The effect of daily zinc supplementation on immune system of athletes, Trace Elements and Electrolytes, 23(2), pp. 79-85. https://doi.org/10.5414/TEP23079
APA Citation style: Grosshauser, M., Becker, K., Riemann, D., Langner, J., Stangl, G., & Eder, K. (2006). The effect of daily zinc supplementation on immune system of athletes. Trace Elements and Electrolytes. 23(2), 79-85. https://doi.org/10.5414/TEP23079
