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Neuroendocrine Immunology
Published in Paul V. Malven, Mammalian Neuroendocrinology, 2019
As stated earlier in this chapter, epithelial cells of the thymus known as thymocytes secrete several thymic hormones such as thymulin and thymosin (Millington and Buckingham, 1992). Thymulin appears to enhance immunological response by promoting the cytokine-driven differentiation of T lymphocytes and by increasing cytokine release. Since release of thymulin is not activated, as are cytokines, by antigenic or tissue insults, endocrine control of release may be of major importance. In this regard, hormonal deficits of prolactin, GH, and thyroid hormones all result in reduced secretion of thymulin, and correction of these deficits restores the secretion of thymulin to normal (Fabris et al., 1989). Abrupt increases in hypophysial secretion of ACTH, as occurs after adrenalectomy, appear to increase thymulin release, and glucocorticoids exert only a minor, often synergistic effect with ACTH.
Clinical Applications of Thymic Hormones, Current Status, and Perspectives
Published in Marek P. Dabrowski, Barbara K. Dabrowska-Bernstein, Immunoregulatory Role of Thymus, 2019
Marek P. Dabrowski, Barbara K. Dabrowska-Bernstein
On the other hand, it has been shown that the same peptide may evoke different biological effects. The studies of Bach and Dardenne revealed that low doses of thymulin are able to restore helper T cell function in immunodeficient animals, but remain almost without any effect on the helper or effector cells in normal mice. In contrast, higher doses of thymulin appeared to enhance the function of suppressor T cells, and whereas low doses stimulated rejection of MSV-induced sarcoma, high doses exerted an opposite effect.5 On the basis of this observation the authors have selected two dose levels of thymulin: 1 to 5 μg/kg for stimulation of helper cells and 15 to 20 μg/kg for activation of suppressor T cell activity. Despite its apparent simplicity, good therapeutic effects of low dose schedule in immunodeficient children and better results of a high rather than low dose schedule observed in patients with RA have retrospectively confirmed the accuracy of the author’s conception.
A Review of Classic Physiological Systems
Published in Len Wisneski, The Scientific Basis of Integrative Health, 2017
The thymus has the appearance of a lymph node and lies behind the breastbone. The thymus is crucial to the immune system because it is the location where white blood cells, called lymphocytes, undergo important steps in maturation and, consequently, become T lymphocytes. The thymus is the master trainer of the T lymphocyte portion of the acquired immune system. Cells of the thymus are capable of producing hormones, including thymosin, thymulin, and thymopoietin. Thymic hormones have independent neuroendocrine effects and can increase the secretion of other hormones, including ACTH, corticosterone, GH, and prolactin (Ader et al., 1991).
Dietary Zinc, Copper, and Selenium Intake and High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection among American Women: Data from NHANES 2011–2016
Published in Nutrition and Cancer, 2022
Di Xiao, Weidong Li, Wei-Hong Zhang, Zihao Wen, Bofeng Dai, Weijian Mo, Shiqiu Qiu, Li Yang
This study found that 41.7% of participants reported having dietary Zn intake below the RDA, which may indicate that inadequate Zn intake is common in both the United States and developing countries (36). Evidence has already shown the influence of dietary patterns on the risk of hrHPV infection (37). According to our results, women with greater Zn intake (fourth tertile) had lower odds of being hrHPV-positive than those with low Zn intake (first tertile), which is consistent with the result from a study in Italy that found that Zn intake in diet was negatively associated to hrHPV infection risk (38). Adequate Zn nutrition is essential for growth, development, as well as the maintenance of immune function (19, 36). Zn accounts for a vital cofactor for thymulin (the thymus hormone), and it can accelerate the secretion of T-cell markers while promoting T-cell activities, involving interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, allogenic cytotoxicity, and suppressor functions (39). Some studies have noted that in humans, decreased Zn content in plasma may change cellular immunity, thereby reducing interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-2, which can inhibit the replication of HPV (40). Furthermore, we also found a very interesting result that women who only had a dietary Zn intake met the RDA (8 mg/day for woman over 18 years old; 9 mg/day for18 year old women) was not associated with hrHPV infection. Therefore, we speculated that only high enough level of dietary Zn intake might contribute to enhanced IFN-γ and IL-2 to inhibit the replication of HPV, and ultimately contribute to a decreased risk of hrHPV infection. More studies are warranted to elucidate these speculations, especially exploring what extent dietary Zn intake could prevent HPV infection and promote its clearance. These results indicate that dietary Zn supplementation could become a potential therapeutic for clinical use to beneficially influence the well-being of patients with hrHPV infection.