• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.430-436
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• 1999

This study investigated the correlations among nutrient intakes, and immune status in Korean young women in relation to body mass index(BMI). Subjects were classified as underweight, normal or overweight, with anthropometric measurements of these three groups significatly different in terms of weight, body fat, waist measurement, hip measurement, waist/hip ratio(WHR), and skindfold thickness(p<0.001). Average vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, calcium and zinc levles were lower than the Korean RDA. Vitamin A levels were found to be significantly correlated with BMI(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in total T and B lymphocytes or IgG, IgG, and IgM levels with respect to BMI, but Natural Killer(NK) cell levels were found significantly increased with increased BMI(p<0.05). BMI was also positively correlated with iron intake and negatively correlated with vitamin A intake in the normal group. Based upon this study, further research on nutritional, immune and trace-mineral status of overweight and underweight young women is required for better health promotion in this female populaton.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.472-474
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• 2002

Till date the phenomenon of maternal transfer of photic information was reported to regulate the fetal/neonatal growth, however its influence on neonatal immune system is still an enigma. In the present study, we observed an increase in maternal plasma melatonin level under short day length (SOL) condition with a consequent decrease in TLC and LC in their respective neonates. However, a significant decrease in maternal plasma melatonin level was noted under constant darkness (DD) with an increase in TLC and LC of their neonates. The blastogenic response (BGR) to Con A of splenocytes exhibited a significant increase in neonates of SDL females and a significant decrease in the neonates of DD females. Hence, it appears that the increase in maternal plasma melatonin under SOL condition transmitted information to decrease the immune status. Continuous exposure of females to darkness (DD) negatively regulated the maternal pineal gland activity thereby decreasing their plasma melatonin level. This information was transmitted for elevation of immune status in neonates, so that they exhibit better growth and sexual maturation. Therefore, we may suggest that the maternal photic information transmitted either prenatally through placenta or postnatally via the milk regulate the hormonal profile of Melatonin to regulate the immune status of neonates in order to influence their growth and sexual maturation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2005

This study was performed to examine the change of lipid metabolism and immune function caused by antioxidant material in hypercholesterolemic elderly women (serum total cholesterol $\geq$200 mg/dI). The subjects were 51 elderly women aged over 60 yrs. They were divided into antioxidant nutrients complex group (n = 25) and spirulina group (n= 26). Antioxidant nutrients complex (1 capsule/day) and spirulina (7.5 mg/day) were used for intervention for 8weeks. All the subjects were fully informed the purpose of study and gave written consents to participate in this study. Dietary intakes, anthropometric indices and blood assessment for lipid, immune function and antioxidant status were measured before and after supplementation. Either antioxidant nutrients complex or spirulina supplementation for 8weeks resulted in improved antioxidant status evidence by increased TAS (total antioxidant status) and decreased TB-ARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) . This intervention led to decreased serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, oxLDL, apolipoprotein B, IL-6 and IL-6 production by peripheral blood lymphocyte. In conclusion, the lipid profiles, immune function and antioxidant capacity were improved after either antioxidant nutrient complex or spirulina supplementation for hypercholesterolemic women. Therefore, improving antioxidant status using supplemen-tation could provide means of controlling cardiovascular disease in Korean elderly people.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 2002

Objectives : To examine whether cumulative chronic stress influences the immune status, and to verify the effect of social support on the relationship between these two dimensions in male manufacturing workers. Methods : A total of 39 workers were recruited for this study. A structured-questionnaire was used to assess general characteristics, job characteristics (work demand and decision latitude), psychosocial distress, and social support. The serum levels of CD4 and CD8 were measured as immune markers, and were collected between 8:00 and 10:00am in order to standardize the markers. Nonparametric statistics were used to estimate the differences between job characteristics and the immune markers. Results : General characteristics, and health-related behaviors, were not associated with CD4, CD8 or CD4/CD8. No relationships were found between job characteristics and the mean levels of immune reactivity. These results were consistent, even after controlling for social support. Social support failed to modify the relationship toward work demand, decision latitude or psychosocial distress to CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8. Conclusion : Cumulative chronic life stress might not influence the immune status, and the effects of social support on the immune function under chronic stress, may not play a crucial role in modifying the relationships. This implication supports that the effect of stress on the immune function may be determined by the characteristics of that stress. further research should effectively considers the type, magnitude and timing of a stress event, and modifiable factors, such as personality traits, coping style, and hormone excretion levels, on the alteration of immune status.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.sup1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put focus on the importance of a healthy immune system for recovery from infection and effective response to vaccination. Several nutrients have been under attention because their nutritional statuses showed associations with the incidence or severity of COVID-19 or because they affect several aspects of immune function. Nutritional status, immune function, and viral infection are closely interrelated. Undernutrition impairs immune function, which can lead to increased susceptibility to viral infection, while viral infection itself can result in changes in nutritional status. Here, we review the roles of vitamins A, C, D, and E, and zinc, iron, and selenium in immune function and viral infection and their relevance to COVID-19.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2024

Cytokines influence the overall cancer immune cycle by triggering tumor antigen expression, antigen presenting, immune cell priming and activation, effector immune cell recruitment and infiltration to cancer, and cancer killing in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, cytokines have been considered potential anti-cancer immunotherapy, and cytokine-based anti-cancer therapies continue to be an active area of research and development in the field of cancer immunotherapy, with ongoing clinical trials exploring new strategies to improve efficacy and safety. In this review, we examine past and present clinical developments for major anticancer cytokines, including interleukins (IL-2, IL-15, IL-12, IL-21), interferons, TGF-beta, and GM-CSF. We identify the current status and changes in the technology platform being applied to cytokine-based immune anti-cancer therapeutics. Through this, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of cytokine-based immune anti-cancer treatments in the current immunotherapy market and suggest development directions to enhance the clinical use of cytokines as immuno-anticancer drugs in the future.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1244-1253
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• 1998

This study investigated the effects of vitamin C supplementation on immune status in smoking and nonsmoking male college students. Blood samples were obtained from 15 healthy smoking and from 15 healthy nonsmoking volunteers before and 4 weeks after vitamin C supplementation (1000mg/day). Daily nutrient intakes was also calculated. Plasma vitamin C, E, and A concentrations, white blood cells and subpopulations, lymphocytes and subpopulations, NK cell percentage,plasma immunoglobulin A, G, M and complement C3, plasma interleukin-2 , and prostagladin E2 were measured . Daily vitamin C consumption was lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. Vitamin C supplementation significantly increased plasma vitamin C in smokers, and increased NK cell percentage in smokers and nonsmokers. Plasma IL-2 concentrations were significantly increased by vitamin C supplementation in nonsmokers, and decreased helpe $r^pressor T cell ratio were decreased by vitamin C supplementatiion , but the differences were not significant. White blood cells and subpopulation percentage and plasma prostaglandin E2 concentration were not affected by smoking and vitamin C supplementation. These findings as nonsmokers.rs.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.287-297
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• 2003

This intervention study was performed to assess the effect of spirulina on lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and immune function in elderly Koreans. The subjects were 6 male and 6 female people between the ages of 60 and 75, who were given spirulina supplements of 7.5 g/day for 24 weeks. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessment for plasma lipid levels, antioxidant status and immune function were measured before and throughout the intervention period. Before entering the study, the subjects were in relatively good health. Their nutrient intake was satisfactory, and anthropometric indices and plasma nutrient levels were within the normal range. Spirulina supplementation for 24 weeks did not affect dietary intake and anthropometric parameters. However, considerable changes were observed in blood lipid profiles, antioxidant capacity, and immune indices. The plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total- and LDL-cholesterol decreased from 4 weeks of the supplementation period. The antioxidant capacity improved, as shown in increasing TAS and decreasing TBARS after supplementation. Improved immune function was also observed as the PBL lymphocyte proliferation rate and plasma C3 levels increased. The above effects of spirulina supplementation did not differ between mild hypercholesterolemic (cholesterol $\geq$ 200mg/d1) and normochole-sterolemic (cholesterol < 200 mg/dl) subjects. This study provided evidence that spirulina could be used as dietary supplementation in nutritionally vulnerable groups to improve nutritional and health status and to prevent chronic disease such as hyperlipidemia or oxidation-prone diseases. further studies in this area with various population groups are warranted.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.439-452
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• 2005

Zinc is ubiquitous in all living cells. Structural and catalytic properties of cellular enzymes are zinc dependent. Zinc deficiency leads to a variety of pathological abnormalities with immune impairment. It is an established fact that nutritional status contributes to overall immune response of individuals. Outcome of zinc deficiency on immune system is so drastic that it is difficult to conceive at the first instance. Zinc supplementation has been advocated to prevent diarrheal disease in children with poor nutritional status. The bioavailability of zinc depends upon its sources. Moreover it varies between monogastrics and ruminants. Controversy still prevails between inorganic and organic sources of zinc with respect to their superiority in bioavailability. Zinc exerts immunostimulatory effects in various laboratory and farm animals. Animals having congenital zinc deficiency diseases like A46 lethal trait usually die due to impairment of the immune system unless treated with zinc. The immune mechanism of zinc and its effect on animals and man are discussed. Zinc has been considered as extremely safe at higher therapeutic doses, but does not provide any beneficial effect but rather may cause immunosuppression. More recently, zinc has been prescribed for immunodeficient hosts, to modulate the immune system so that to a certain extent it can combat against opportunistic pathogens.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.52-55
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary iron intake on the immune status of male college students. Twenty healthy male university students participated in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 22.6 years old, mean height was 173.3 cm and mean body weight was 68.4 kg. The mean daily iron intake of the subjects was 19.9 mg, 158.1% of the Korean recommended dietary allowances (RDA). The blood iron status and immune responses of the subjects were analyzed and compared between the high dietary iron group consuming more than 100% of the RDA of iron (Hi-Fe) and the low dietary iron group consuming less than 100% of the RDA of iron (Low-Fe). The serum iron concentration and percent saturation of transferrin were within the normal range in both groups. However, the Hi-fe group had higher serum iron and percent saturation of transferrin than the Low-fe group (p<0.05). When differential white blood cell counts were compared, the Low-Fe group had a lower percentage of neutrophils than the Hi-Fe group (p <0.1). The plasma IL-2 concentration, immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte subsets were not affected significantly by the differences in iron intake as shown in this study. Serum iron had a positive correlation with monocyte percentage but had a negative correlation with IgM concentration. The results of this study suggest that slightly-low dietary iron intake without anemia has no effects on the cell-mediated and humoral immunities of healthy male university students. However, natural defenses, such as neutrophils and monocytes, seem to be more sensitively affected by changes in dietary iron intake.