Abstract
It is well known that inappropriate nutrient intake accounts for the maintenance of the immunological equilibrium, in humans and animals. Vitamins, elements, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids play an important role in the regulation of cellular and humoral immune responses since single or multiple deficits of these food components have been shown to cause immune abnormalities. For instance, in the course of protein-calorie malnutrition bacterial and / or viral infections represent the major cause of death. Ageing is characterized by a decline of many immune functions, and this process is called immunosenescence. Here, we report novel findings on the inability of superantigens to activate old CD8+, natural killer and B cells, as an expression of cell amnesia. In the elderly, this lack of activation could lead to lethal effects in the case of severe staphylococcal infections. Quite interestingly, recent findings outlined some similarities between human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection and ageing in terms of immune changes. The model of HIV-infection may be useful for the interpretation of ageing mechanisms and possible therapeutical interventions. Finally, the role of nutrition in different pathological conditions and the use of medical foods for correcting of immune deficits will be described.
Keywords: ageing, anorexia, food, Immunity, lymphocytes, malnutrition, obesity
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Nutrition and Immunity: Laboratory and Clinical Aspects
Volume: 9 Issue: 24
Author(s): L. Amati, D. Cirimele, V. Pugliese, V. Covelli, F. Resta and E. Jirillo
Affiliation:
Keywords: ageing, anorexia, food, Immunity, lymphocytes, malnutrition, obesity
Abstract: It is well known that inappropriate nutrient intake accounts for the maintenance of the immunological equilibrium, in humans and animals. Vitamins, elements, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids play an important role in the regulation of cellular and humoral immune responses since single or multiple deficits of these food components have been shown to cause immune abnormalities. For instance, in the course of protein-calorie malnutrition bacterial and / or viral infections represent the major cause of death. Ageing is characterized by a decline of many immune functions, and this process is called immunosenescence. Here, we report novel findings on the inability of superantigens to activate old CD8+, natural killer and B cells, as an expression of cell amnesia. In the elderly, this lack of activation could lead to lethal effects in the case of severe staphylococcal infections. Quite interestingly, recent findings outlined some similarities between human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection and ageing in terms of immune changes. The model of HIV-infection may be useful for the interpretation of ageing mechanisms and possible therapeutical interventions. Finally, the role of nutrition in different pathological conditions and the use of medical foods for correcting of immune deficits will be described.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Amati L., Cirimele D., Pugliese V., Covelli V., Resta F. and Jirillo E., Nutrition and Immunity: Laboratory and Clinical Aspects, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2003; 9 (24) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033454252
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033454252 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Cardioprotection with opioids - Trusted old friends -Clinical Science -
Current Pharmaceutical Design T Cell Replicative Senescence in Human Aging
Current Pharmaceutical Design Abnormal Peri-Organ or Intra-organ Fat (APIFat) Deposition: An Underestimated Predictor of Vascular Risk?
Current Vascular Pharmacology How to Keep Oxidative Stress Under Control?
Current Nutrition & Food Science Clinical Features and Disease Damage Risk Factors in an Egyptian SLE Cohort: A Multicenter Study
Current Rheumatology Reviews The Antiplatelet Drug Target in Atherosclerotic Diseases
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Combinatorial Therapies for Cardiac Regeneration
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine Advanced Glycation End Products: A Link Between Periodontitis and Diabetes Mellitus?
Current Diabetes Reviews Diabetic Complications: An Update on Pathobiology and Therapeutic Strategies
Current Diabetes Reviews Virus-based Gene Transfer Approaches and Adipose Tissue Biology
Current Gene Therapy Targeting SUMOylation Cascade for Diabetes Management
Current Drug Targets Acute Fulminant Hepatatis in Kidney Transplant Recipient After Repeated Sevoflurane Anesthesia - A Case Report and Literature Review
Current Drug Safety Pharmacokinetics and Metabolic Drug Interactions
Current Clinical Pharmacology Neuroprotective Effects of Drug-Induced Therapeutic Hypothermia in Central Nervous System Diseases
Current Drug Targets Artificial O2 Carriers: Status in 2005
Current Pharmaceutical Design Systemic Inflammation, Infection, ApoE Alleles, and Alzheimer Disease: A Position Paper
Current Alzheimer Research An insight into the Interaction between Clopidogrel and Proton Pump Inhibitors
Current Drug Metabolism Clinical Presentations and Diagnosis of Brucellosis
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Discovery of Novel Genes Mediating Glucose and Lipid Metabolisms
Current Protein & Peptide Science MicroRNA-34a Promotes Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Post Myocardial Infarction Through Down-regulating Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2
Current Pharmaceutical Design