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Dissociation of immune capacity from nutritional status by triiodothyronine supplements in severe protein deficiency
Author(s) -
Perry K. J.,
Filteau S. M.,
Woodward B.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2.10.3290026
Subject(s) - triiodothyronine , immune system , physiology , medicine , chemistry , endocrinology , thyroid , immunology
Weanling mice were fed ad libitum from age 23 to 37 days either an 18 or an 0.6% protein diet. Half the animals in each dietary group received supplemental triiodothyronine (T 3 , 0.2 mg/kg diet). T 3 increased the primary in vivo antibody response of protein‐deficient mice to sheep red blood cells, as measured by both splenic plaque‐forming cells (PFC) per 10 6 nucleated spleen cells and serum hemagglutinin titers. T 3 also increased PFC/spleen in well‐nourished mice. The effect on protein‐deficient animals was achieved although nutritional status in these animals, as estimated by weight loss and carcass composition, was further impaired by T 3 supplementation. These results support the hypothesis that immune functions can be improved independendy of nutritional status in severe (wasting) malnutrition. Insofar as T 3 was effective in a model of malnutrition that does not reduce serum total or free T 3 levels, the phenomenon appears to represent a pharmacological action of the hormone.—P erry , K. J.; F ilteau , S. M.; W oodward , B. Dissociation of immune capacity from nutritional status by triiodothyronine supplements in severe protein deficiency. FASEB J. 2: 2609‐2612; 1988.