Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

87. Semba RD. Vitamin A and immunity to viral, bacterial and protozoan infections. Proc
Nutr Soc 1999 58(3): 719-27. PMID 10604208
"…vitamin A and related retinoids play a major role in immunity, including expression of
mucins and keratins, lymphopoiesis, apoptosis, cytokine expression, production of
antibody, and the function of neutrophils, natural killer cells, monocytes or
macrophages, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. Recent clinical trials suggest that
vitamin A supplementation reduces morbidity and mortality in different infectious
diseases, such as measles, diarrhoeal disease, measles-related pneumonia, human
immunodeficiency virus infection and malaria. Immune responses vary considerably
during different infections, and the available data suggest that the modulation of
immune function by vitamin A may also vary widely, depending on the type of infection
and immune responses involved."
88. Molina EL, Patel JA. A to Z: vitamin A and zinc, the miracle duo. Indian J Pediatr.
1996 63(4): 427-31. PMID 10832460
"Dietary micronutrients such as vitamins and trace minerals are known modulators of
host immune responses against common pathogens. In this respect, vitamin A and zinc
have recently received increased attention. Several in vivo and in vitro studies suggest
that vitamin A may be a critical player in the mucosal immune responses in the
respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, particularly in undernourished children. The
effect may be mediated primarily by stabilization of the membrane of mucosal epithelial
cells, as well as enhanced leukocyte functions. The beneficial effect of vitamin A
therapy in reducing measles-associated morbidity and mortality suggests its crucial role
in defenses against viral pathogens. Zinc is also known affect leukocyte functions such
as phagocytosis and T-lymphocyte-mediated immune responses… Dietary
supplementation or therapeutic treatment with vitamin A and zinc may be a cheap yet
effective means of preventing or treating infections in highly susceptible populations.
Additional studies, however, are required to better define the types of pathogens and
the specific human populations that may benefit from such therapy."
88b. Chandra RK, Wadhwa M. Nutritional modulation of intestinal mucosal immunity.
Immunol Invest. 1989 Jan-May;18(1-4):119-26. PMID: 2659508
"Protein-energy malnutrition results in an increased risk of gastrointestinal infection.
This can be attributed in part to impaired immune responses. Cell-mediated immunity is
decreased as judged by reduced number and function of thymus-dependent
lymphocytes, impaired delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, and decreased
production of lymphokines. Concentration of secretory IgA is reduced and there are
fewer intraepithelial lymphocytes. Antibody responses following viral vaccine
administration are reduced and there is decrease in natural killer cell activity. In
addition, the number of bacteria binding to epithelial cells is increased. These changes
are observed also in certain selected nutrient deficiencies, such as that of vitamin A. It
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