IMPLICATIONS FOR AGE-RELATED CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

THE EFFECT OF ZINC STATUS ON PROINFLAMMATORY

RESPONSE

Nicole Rinaldia, Carmen Wong, PhDb, Emily Ho, PhDb,c

aDepartment of BioResource ResearchbSchool of Biological and Population Health Sciences

cLinus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA

BACKGROUND

Zinc is an essential micronutrient Important role in immune

system health

Zinc deficiency causes chronic low-grade inflammation Chronic inflammation promotes development of degenerative disease Heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease,

cancer

BACKGROUND

Aging is strongly associated with chronic inflammation

Zinc status declines with age 12% of total US population is zinc deficient,

however 40% of elderly Americans are zinc deficient

Due to both decreased absorption of zinc and consumption of zinc in the elderly

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What level of zinc deficiency causes immune dysregulation?

Can zinc supplementation improve immune function?

HYPOTHESIS

Zinc deficiency will increase the intensity of the proinflammatory response compared to that elicited by zinc adequate conditions

Zinc supplementation will decrease the intensity of the proinflammatory response compared to that elicited by zinc adequate conditions

METHODS

THP-1 human leukemic monocyte cell culture model Monocytes are a form of white blood cell

involved in proinflammatory response Cells are cultured in media that is either zinc

deficient (0 μM zinc), marginally zinc deficient (1 μM zinc), zinc adequate (4 μM zinc), or zinc supplemented (40 μM zinc)

METHODS

Monocytes undergo measurable processes during induction of proinflammatory response Increased ICAM1 expression, increased

production of proinflammatory cytokines, increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Day 25 ZA Day 25 ZD

Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines IL1β & IL6

Production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Expression of Cell Activation Marker ICAM1

RESULTS

ZA= zinc adequate

MZD= marginal zinc deficient

ZD= zinc deficient

ZS= zinc supplemented

CONCLUSIONS

Effect of zinc supplementation on intensity of proinflammatory response is unclear at this time

Zinc deficiency and marginal zinc deficiency increase intensity of proinflammatory response Increased production of cell

activation markers, proinflammatory cytokines, and ROS

Zinc deficiency and marginal zinc deficiency may contribute to chronic inflammation experienced by the elderly

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LIFE Scholars Summer Research Program Dr. Emily Ho – Mentor

Endowed Director, Professor, Principal Investigator OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences

Dr. Carmen Wong – Mentor Research Associate, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences

Wanda Crannell – Advisor Advisor / Instructor OSU College of Agricultural Sciences

RESULTS