The immune system and the impact of zinc during aging

The trace element zinc is essential for the immune system, and zinc deficiency affects multiple aspects of innate and adaptive immunity. There are remarkable parallels in the immunological changes during aging and zinc deficiency, including a reduction in the activity of the thymus and thymic hormones, a shift of the T helper cell balance toward T helper type 2 cells, decreased response to vaccination, and impaired functions of innate immune cells. Many studies confirm a decline of zinc levels with age. Most of these studies do not classify the majority of elderly as zinc deficient, but even marginal zinc deprivation can affect immune function. Consequently, oral zinc supplementation demonstrates the potential to improve immunity and efficiently downregulates chronic inflammatory responses in the elderly. These data indicate that a wide prevalence of marginal zinc deficiency in elderly people may contribute to immunosenescence

Peut-on améliorer les apports énergétiques et protéiques de patients gériatriques hospitalisés sans ajouts de suppléments nutritionnels

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Natriuresis and atrial natriuretic factor secretion during inappropriate antidiuresis

The mechanisms responsible for the natriuresis encountered in the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) are not fully understood. The present study explores the role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). Eight subjects unable to excrete ingested free water normally (three patients with SIADH and five healthy humans after intranasal administration of desmopressin) underwent a standard oral water loading test. Plasma ANF level and urinary sodium excretion increased during water retention, whereas plasma aldosterone value decreased later. The increment of urinary sodium excretion rate was significantly correlated with that of plasma ANF. In two patients with hyponatremia due to SIADH, plasma ANF levels were increased during the hyponatremic phase of their condition and decreased under water restriction. In one of them, marked natriuresis was observed when the plasma ANF level was high. It is concluded that secretion of ANF is acutely and chronically stimulated during water retention in SIADH and that ANF may be in part responsible for the natriuresis encountered in inappropriate antidiuresis.Case ReportsComparative StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Hyponatremia and atrial natriuretic peptide secretion in patients with vasopressin-induced natriuresis

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High plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor in SIADH

Case ReportsLetterinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Mechanisms of hyperhomocysteinemia in elderly patients in Europe (France, Belgium)

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Vitamin D status of older patients amongst acute psychogeriatric unit

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