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Biomedical subjects

X Lin

Publications and source records attributed to X Lin.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Infectivity-neutralizing and hemagglutinin-inhibiting antibody responses to respiratory coronavirus infections of cattle in pathogenesis of shipping fever pneumonia.

Respiratory bovine coronaviruses (RBCV) emerged as an infectious agent most frequently isolated from respiratory tract samples of cattle with acute respiratory tract diseases. Infectivity-neutralizing (IN) and hemagglutinin-inhibiting (HAI) antibodies induced by RBCV infections were monitored in sequential serum samples collected from cattle during a naturally evolving and experimentally monitored epizootic of shipping fever pneumonia (SFP). Cattle nasally shedding RBCV at the beginning of the epizootic started with low levels of serum IN and HAI antibodies. An increase in serum IN antibody after day 7 led to reduction of virus shedding in nasal secretions by the majority of the cattle between days 7 and 14. A substantial rise in the serum HAI antibody was observed during the initial phase among the sick but not the clinically normal cattle which were infected with RBCV. The RBCV isolation-positive cattle that developed fatal SFP had minimal serum IN and HAI antibodies during the course of disease development. Cattle that remained negative in RBCV isolation tests entered this epizootic with high levels of serum IN and HAI antibodies, which dramatically increased during the next two weeks. Protection against SFP was apparently associated with significantly higher levels of serum IN antibodies at the beginning of the epizootic. The RBCV-neutralizing activity is associated with serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), particularly the IgG2 subclass, while RBCV-specific HAI antibody is related to both serum IgG and IgM fractions.

Animals↗

Complete genome sequence of the shrimp white spot bacilliform virus.

We report the first complete genome sequence of a marine invertebrate virus. White spot bacilliform virus (WSBV; or white spot syndrome virus) is a major shrimp pathogen with a high mortality rate and a wide host range. Its double-stranded circular DNA genome of 305,107 bp contains 181 open reading frames (ORFs). Nine homologous regions containing 47 repeated minifragments that include direct repeats, atypical inverted repeat sequences, and imperfect palindromes were identified. This is the largest animal virus that has been completely sequenced. Although WSBV is morphologically similar to insect baculovirus, the two viruses are not detectably related at the amino acid level. Rather, some WSBV genes are more homologous to eukaryotic genes than viral genes. In fact, sequence analysis indicates that WSBV differs from all known viruses, although a few genes display a weak homology to herpesvirus genes. Most of the ORFs encode proteins that bear no homology to any known proteins, either suggesting that WSBV represents a novel class of viruses or perhaps implying a significant evolutionary distance between marine and terrestrial viruses. The most unique feature of WSBV is the presence of an intact collagen gene, a gene encoding an extracellular matrix protein of animal cells that has never been found in any viruses. Determination of the genome of WSBV will facilitate a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of the WSBV virus and will also provide useful information concerning the evolution and divergence of marine and terrestrial animal viruses at the molecular level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A single amino acid in the reverse transcriptase domain of hepatitis B virus affects virus replication efficiency.

To explore functional domains in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase, two naturally occurring HBV isolates (56 and 2-18) with 98.7% nucleic acid sequence homology but different replication efficiencies were studied. After transfection into HepG2 cells, HBV DNA isolated from intracellular virus core particles was much higher in 56-transfected cells than in cells transfected with 2-18. The structural basis for the difference in replication efficiency between these two isolates was studied by functional domain gene substitution. The complete polymerase (P) gene and its gene segments coding for the terminal protein (TP), spacer (SP), reverse transcriptase (RT), and RNase H in 2-18 were separately replaced with their counterparts from 56 to construct full-length chimeric genomes. Cell transfection analysis revealed that substitution of the complete P gene of 2-18 with the P gene from 56 slightly enhanced viral replication. The only chimeric genome that regained the high replication efficiency of the original 56 isolate was the one with substitution of the RT gene of 2-18 with that from 56. Within the RT region, amino acid differences between isolates 2-18 and 56 were located at positions 617 (methionine versus leucine), 652 (serine versus proline), and 682 (valine versus leucine). Point mutation identified amino acid 652 as being responsible for the difference in replication efficiency. Homologous modeling studies of the HBV RT domain suggest that the mutation of residue 652 from proline to serine might affect the conformation of HBV RT which interacts with the template-primer, leading to impaired polymerase activity.

Amino Acids↗

Quantitative diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral atrophy, and disability in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relations between quantitative diffusion coefficient MRI histograms, clinical variables, and cerebral atrophy. METHODS: Twenty two patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis and 11 healthy volunteers were studied. Histograms of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from a volume of interest that included multiple slices encompassing the lateral ventricles were processed from diffusion weighted MRI. In addition, total lesion load was measured on T2 weighted dual echo images, and cerebral volume from 3D magnetisation prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo scans. All patients underwent neurological assessment, including disability on the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). RESULTS: Histograms from the patient group showed a reduced peak height and a "right shift" compared with healthy controls. Peak height of the diffusion histogram correlated with both EDSS (r=-0.54, p=0.0101) and disease duration (r=-0.52, p=0.0140), but not with age. Brain volume correlated with peak height of the ADC histogram (r=0.55, p=0.0129), but not with disability. Total lesion load also correlated moderately with EDSS (r=0.46, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows for the first time that quantitative MRI measures of diffusion correlate with clinical variables (disability, disease duration) and cerebral atrophy in multiple sclerosis. Cerebral atrophy and fixed neurological deficit may be attributed to axonal loss, which would be expected to have a significant effect on ADC. Extension of this method to more patients and longitudinal studies will further elucidate its sensitivity, reproducibility, and potential role in clinical practice and treatment trials.

Adult↗

Abnormal gastric slow waves in patients with functional dyspepsia assessed by multichannel electrogastrography.

The aim of this study was to utilize multichannel electrogastrography to investigate whether patients with functional dyspepsia had impaired propagation or coordination of gastric slow waves in the fasting state compared with healthy controls. The study was performed in 10 patients with functional dyspepsia and 11 healthy subjects. Gastric myoelectrical activity was measured by using surface electrogastrography with a specially designed four-channel device. The study was performed for 30 min or more in the fasting state. Special computer programs were developed for the computation of the propagation and coupling of the gastric slow wave. It was found that, compared with the healthy controls, the patients showed a significantly lower percentage of slow wave propagation (58.0 +/- 8.9 vs. 89.9 +/- 2.6%, P < 0.002) and a significantly lower percentage of slow wave coupling (46.9 +/- 4.4 vs. 61.5 +/- 6.9%, P < 0.04). In addition, the patients showed inconsistencies in the frequency and regularity of the gastric slow wave among the four-channel electrogastrograms (EGGs). It was concluded that patients with functional dyspepsia have impaired slow wave propagation and coupling. Multichannel EGG has more information than single-channel EGG for the detection of gastric myoelectrical abnormalities.

Adult↗

Calcium dynamics and electrophysiological properties of cerebellar Purkinje cells in SCA1 transgenic mice.

Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) from spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) transgenic mice develop dendritic and somatic atrophy with age. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 and the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase pump, which regulate [Ca(2+)](i), are expressed at lower levels in these cells compared with the levels in cells from wild-type (WT) mice. To examine PCs in SCA1 mice, we used whole-cell patch clamp recording combined with fluorometric [Ca(2+)](i) and [Na(+)](i) measurements in cerebellar slices. PCs in SCA1 mice had Na(+) spikes, Ca(2+) spikes, climbing fiber (CF) electrical responses, parallel fiber (PF) electrical responses, and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-mediated, PF-evoked Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores that were qualitatively similar to those recorded from WT mice. Under our experimental conditions, it was easier to evoke the mGluR-mediated secondary [Ca(2+)](i) increase in SCA1 PCs. The membrane resistance of SCA1 PCs was 3.3 times higher than that of WT cells, which correlated with the 1.7 times smaller cell body size. Most SCA1 PCs (but not WT) had a delayed onset (about 50--200 ms) to Na(+) spike firing induced by current injection. This delay was increased by hyperpolarizing prepulses and was eliminated by 4-aminopyridine, which suggests that this delay was due to enhancement of the A-like K(+) conductance in the SCA1 PCs. In response to CF stimulation, most PCs in mutant and WT mice had rapid, widespread [Ca(2+)](i) changes that recovered in <200 ms. Some SCA1 PCs showed a slow, localized, secondary Ca(2+) transient following the initial CF Ca(2+) transient, which may reflect release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. Thus, with these exceptions, the basic physiological properties of mutant PCs are similar to those of WT neurons, even with dramatic alteration of their morphology and downregulation of Ca(2+) handling molecules.

Action Potentials↗

Salt-inducible kinase is involved in the ACTH/cAMP-dependent protein kinase signaling in Y1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cells.

The involvement of salt-inducible kinase, a recently cloned protein serine/threonine kinase, in adrenal steroidogenesis was investigated. When Y1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cells were stimulated by ACTH, the cellular content of salt-inducible kinase mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity changed rapidly. Its level reached the highest point in 1-2 h and returned to the initial level after 8 h. The mRNA levels of cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, on the other hand, began to rise after a few hours, reaching the highest levels after 8 h. The salt-inducible kinase mRNA level in ACTH-, forskolin-, or 8-bromo-cAMP-treated Kin-7 cells, mutant Y1 with less cAMP-dependent PKA activity, remained low. However, Kin-7 cells, when transfected with a PKA expression vector, expressed salt-inducible kinase mRNA. Y1 cells that overexpressed salt-inducible kinase were isolated, and the mRNA levels of steroidogenic genes in these cells were compared with those in the parent Y1. The level of cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 mRNA in the salt-inducible kinase-overexpressing cells was markedly low compared with that in the parent, while the levels of Ad4BP/steroidogenic factor-1-, ACTH receptor-, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-mRNAs in the former were similar to those in the latter. The ACTH-dependent expression of cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450- and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-mRNAs in the salt-inducible kinase-overexpressing cells was significantly repressed. The promoter activity of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 gene was assayed by using Y1 cells transfected with a human cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 promoter-linked reporter gene. Addition of forskolin to the culture medium enhanced the cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 promoter activity, but the forskolin-dependently activated promoter activity was inhibited when the cells were transfected with a salt-inducible kinase expression vector. This inhibition did not occur when the cells were transfected with a salt-inducible kinase (K56M) vector that encoded an inactive kinase. The salt-inducible kinase's inhibitory effect was also observed when nonsteroidogenic, nonAd4BP/steroidogenic factor-1 -expressing, NIH3T3 cells were used for the promoter assays. These results suggested that salt-inducible kinase might play an important role(s) in the cAMP-dependent, but Ad4BP/steroidogenic factor-1-independent, gene expression of cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 in adrenocortical cells.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are critical for the organization of the extracellular distribution of Wingless.

Recent studies in Drosophila have shown that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are required for Wingless (Wg/Wnt) signaling. In addition, genetic and phenotypic analyses have implicated the glypican gene dally in this process. Here, we report the identification of another Drosophila glypican gene, dally-like (dly) and show that it is also involved in Wg signaling. Inhibition of dly gene activity implicates a function for DLY in Wg reception and we show that overexpression of DLY leads to an accumulation of extracellular Wg. We propose that DLY plays a role in the extracellular distribution of Wg. Consistent with this model, a dramatic decrease of extracellular Wg was detected in clones of cells that are deficient in proper glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. We conclude that HSPGs play an important role in organizing the extracellular distribution of Wg.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Studies on the supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction of complex prescription Danshen-Jiangxiang].

This paper first reported the supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction of complex prescription Danshen-Jiangxiang. With the active constituents and yield of extracts as index, the each other effect of each drug and effect on total complex prescription in extraction were studied. And the effects of pressure and temperature were also studied. The results showed the effects were different in complex prescription extraction and single prescription. Active constituents can be extracted, but a obvious effect exist each other and effects together the yield of extract, extraction rate and content of active constituents of complex prescription extraction, which are concerned in extraction conditions. These study results have important reference on the modernization of traditional Chinese medicines.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Full-length genomic analysis of hepatitis B virus isolates in a patient progressing from hepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma.

In hepatitis B virus (HBV)-endemic countries, the majority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises in HBV carriers. High frequency of mutations at nucleotides 1762(A-->T) and 1764(G-->A) in the core promoter region have been described in HCC. Due to the differences in genetic backgrounds, environmental risk factors and random cellular insertion sites, it is difficult to analyze the possible roles of HBV variants detected in different HCC patients. In a follow-up cohort study, an HBsAg-positive asymptomatic carrier was diagnosed HCC within 4 years. Eleven full-length HBV isolates, three from the first serum sample obtained 4 years pre-HCC, and eight from serum sample, peri-tumor and tumor tissue post-HCC of this individual were sequenced and used to transfect HepG2 cells. When sequences were compared between pre- and post-HCC isolates, no single mutation common to all post-HCC isolates that differed from pre-HCC isolates was found. Among all 11 isolates, there were 20 predicted amino acid substitutions shared by two or more post-HCC isolates. These were located in the S(5), X(4), core(4), polymerase(4), pre-S1(2) and pre-S2(1) proteins. Possible roles of amino acid substitutions and enhanced replication efficiency in cells transfected by post-HCC isolates are discussed.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Full-length genomic analysis of hepatitis B virus isolates in a patient progressing from hepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma.

In hepatitis B virus (HBV)-endemic countries, the majority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises in HBV carriers. High frequency of mutations at nucleotides 1762(A-->T) and 1764(G-->A) in the core promoter region have been described in HCC. Due to the differences in genetic backgrounds, environmental risk factors and random cellular insertion sites, it is difficult to analyze the possible roles of HBV variants detected in different HCC patients. In a follow-up cohort study, an HBsAg-positive asymptomatic carrier was diagnosed HCC within 4 years. Eleven full-length HBV isolates, three from the first serum sample obtained 4 years pre-HCC, and eight from serum sample, peri-tumor and tumor tissue post-HCC of this individual were sequenced and used to transfect HepG2 cells. When sequences were compared between pre- and post-HCC isolates, no single mutation common to all post-HCC isolates that differed from pre-HCC isolates was found. Among all 11 isolates, there were 20 predicted amino acid substitutions shared by two or more post-HCC isolates. These were located in the S(5), X(4), core(4), polymerase(4), pre-S1(2) and pre-S2(1) proteins. Possible roles of amino acid substitutions and enhanced replication efficiency in cells transfected by post-HCC isolates are discussed.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Identification of genes that mediate sensitivity to cisplatin.

Cisplatin (cDDP) is effective against some human tumors, but many are intrinsically resistant and, even among initially sensitive tumors, acquired resistance develops commonly during treatment. It has not been possible to prove which biochemical mechanisms control sensitivity to cDDP. Gene knockout studies in yeast, Dictyostelium discoideum, and mammalian cells have begun to unambiguously identify genes whose products function to modulate the cytotoxicity of cDDP. This review summarizes information currently available about the function of these genes. This comprehensive compilation points to the involvement of regulatory pathways known to mediate apoptosis, cell cycle checkpoint activation, and transcriptional rescue as regulators of cDDP sensitivity. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that mediate cDDP resistance holds promise for the design of pharmacological strategies for preventing, overcoming, or reversing this form of drug resistance.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Cladonia furcata polysaccharide induced apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells.

AIM: To study whether Cladonia furcata polysaccharide (CFP-1) might induce apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells. METHODS: Inhibition of proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Morphological assessment of apoptosis was performed with fluorescence microscope and electron microscope. DNA fragmentation was visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. The amount of apoptosis cells was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: CFP-1 (50 - 800 mg/L) inhibited K562 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. After incubation of K562 cells with CFP-1 300 mg/L for 5 d, morphological changes of typical apoptosis were observed and agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA revealed "ladder" pattern. CONCLUSION: CFP-1 induced apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

[Effect of environmental factors on N and P uptake by Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia].

The effect of light intensity, pH, temperature, salinity on the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia was were studied under laboratory conditions. The uptake rate of nitrogen reached as high as 0.32-0.36 mumol.g-1.h-1 at favorable light intensity of 800-2400 mumol photon.m-2.s-1, while that of phosphorus reached 0.017-0.018 mumol.g-1.h-1 at 320-1600 mumol photon.m-2.s-1. The nutrient uptake rate reached the maximum at pH 8.0. A significant difference of N uptake rate at different temperatures or salinities and that of P uptake rate at different temperatures were found. The N uptake rate was higher at 21-26 degrees C and 20@1000-28@1000, but P uptake was higher at 21-26 degrees C. There was no interaction between temperature and salinity.

Absorption↗

[Changes of serum transferrin receptor in children with iron deficiency and its response to iron supplementation].

OBJECTIVES: To study the level of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) in children with different stages of iron deficiency, as well as in the normal children, to observe its response to iron supplementation, and to explore the role of sTfR in surveillance of iron status and assessment of iron supplementation in population. METHODS: By determining iron status index, 1,006 children aged 6-14 years in Fangshan District, Beijing were divided into four groups, control group, iron depletion (ID) group, iron deficiency erythropoiesis (IDE) group and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) group, and 239 of them were measured for sTfR with Quintikine enzyme immunoassay (R&D system, Minneapolis, MN) and sTfR/logserum ferratin (SF) was estimated. Iron supplementation (NaFeEDTA capsules, containing 60 mg iron element per capsule) was administered for the children with ID and IDE per capsule once weekly and for the children with IDA per capsule thrice weekly for nine weeks. Iron status index and sTfR were measured before and after iron supplementation. RESULTS: The levels of sTfR and sTfR/log SF in children with ID, IDE and IDA were (20.03 +/- 2.33) nmol/L, (24.52 +/- 1.07) nmol/L, (33.28 +/- 6.09) nmol/L and (18.15 +/- 5.31), (20.98 +/- 8.88), (29.08 +/- 8.57), respectively, significantly higher than those in the control group [sTfR(18.74 +/- 3.06) nmol/L and sTfR/log SF(9.89 +/- 1.74)]. Statistical analysis showed that sTfR correlated to free erythrocyte protoporphyrin and hemoglobin. sTfR levels in normal children was (12.5-23.5) nmol/L. After iron supplementation, sTfR levels in children with ID was (16.37 +/- 3.10) nmol/L, significantly decreased than those before iron supplementation, but no change in sTfR was observed in children with IDE and IDA. sTfR/log SF were decreased significantly in all children with ID group(11.42 +/- 3.12), IDE (16.54 +/- 4.70) and IDA (23.59 +/- 9.93). CONCLUSION: sTfR is a specific indicator for identifying IDE and IDA, and sTfR/log SF is a sensitive index for assessing the effects of iron supplementation.

Adolescent↗

Erythrocyte membrane protein abnormalities in beta-thalassemia of the Li nationality in Hainan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the composition of abnormal red cell membrane skeleton. METHODS: By sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ghostcorpuscles, we quantified the amount of protein by densitometric evaluation. RESULTS: The results showed that in beta-thalassemia, the amount of spectrin, 4.5 protein and globin significantly increased compared with the controls (26.05 +/- 1.46, 21.69 +/- 1.86; 22.87 +/- 5.61, 12.99 +/- 2.33; 15.23 +/- 3.31 and 4.97 +/- 2.73, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the erythrocyte membrane protein composition matched with globin in patients with beta-thalassemia of the racial Li minority are different from the normal control. These factors increase rigidity but decrease deformability of the beta-thalassemic red cell membrane, which may lead to hemolytic anemia.

China↗

Inhibiting effect of moderate hypothermia on cell apoptosis after diffuse brain injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the variant processes of cell apoptosis and the inhibiting effect of moderate hypothermia on cell apoptosis after diffuse brain injury. METHODS: Models of diffuse brain injury were induced by the trauma device reported by Marmarou. A total of 128 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: the uninjured group (Group A, n=8), the severely injured group (Group B, n=60), the mildly injured group (Group C, n=30) and the mild hypothermia group (Group D, n=30). In Group D, the severely injured rats were treated with moderate hypothermia to keep the rectal temperature at 32 degrees C (standard deviation for 0.1 degree C) for 6 hours. Then the morphology, the characteristics and the quantity of apoptotic cells in the cerebral cortex and in the hippocampus regions after different severities of craniocerebral injuries were observed and compared under an electronic microscope, with terminal deoxynucleotidyl nick end labeling (TUNEL) in DNA fragmentation and with agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: TUNEL showed apoptotic cells increased according to the injury severity, and they peaked at 48 hours after injury and then declined. In Group C, apoptosis was located in the CA(2) and CA(3) areas of the hippocampus. And in Group B, apoptosis increased evidently, and located in the whole hippocampus and in the frontal and parietal cortex regions. The hypothermia-treated rats had some apoptotic cells, too. However, even at 24, 48 and 72 hours after injury there were significantly fewer apoptotic cells in the cortex and in the hippocampus in Group D than that in the non-treated groups. Electron microscopy showed that the apoptotic cells were round and shrunken in morphology and the nuclei were round and condensed at 24 and 48 hours after injury. And the apoptosis at 48 hours was more severe than that at 24 hours. The hypothermia-treated rats had no apoptotic cells. Gel electrophoresis showed that characteristic DNA "ladders" were observed in the cortex and in the hippocampus at 48 hours after severe injury. But there was no DNA "ladder" at other time points in the severely injured group, in the mildly injured group and in the hypothermia-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: It suggests that apoptosis occurs after diffuse brain injury and apoptotic cells increase with the injury severity. Moderate hypothermia has a specific inhibiting effect on cell apoptosis after diffuse brain injury in rats.

Animals↗

[Effects of vitamin A and iron supplementation on the improvement of iron status and immunological function in preschool children].

OBJECTIVE: In order to understand the changes in immunological function in rural preschool children with lower levels of vitamin A and iron, and the effect of vitamin A and iron supplementation on the improvement of iron status and immunological function. METHODS: Serum vitamin A concentration and hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron (SI), transferrin saturation (TS), serum ferritin (SF) were determined in 270 rural preschool children aged 3-7 years in Beijing, and the subjects were divided into four groups based on their determinations: control, lower serum vitamin A, lower iron, and both lower iron and serum vitamin A. Forty subjects were selected from each group, and serum IgA, IgG, IgM and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were determined for them. Forty-one subjects who had lower iron and lower serum vitamin A (< 1.12 mumol/L) were divided into two groups: one of them supplemented with 30 mg iron element (ferrous sulfate 0.15 g) once a day for 8 weeks, and the other group supplemented with iron and 12,500 IU vitamin A twice a week for 8 weeks. After supplementation of vitamin A and iron, their serum vitamin A, hematological iron index and serum immunological index were determined again for the two groups. RESULTS: Serum IgM were (1,260 +/- 310) mg/L in both lower iron and serum vitamin A groups, significantly higher than that in normal group (1,070 +/- 170) mg/L (P < 0.05). But there were no significant differences in serum levels of IgG, IgA and IL-2. After supplementation of iron and vitamin A, their serum TS increased to (26.5 +/- 8.6)%, significantly higher than that before supplementation and that supplemented with iron only (22.3 +/- 3.8)%. And, their serum IL-2 were (278.9 +/- 117.7) ng/L after supplementation, significantly higher than that before supplementation (161.6 +/- 90.3) ng/L and that in those supplemented with iron only (189.5 +/- 89.3) ng/L. There was no significant difference in other biochemical indices of iron and immunological indices. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with vitamin A and iron was helpful to improve body iron nutritional status and immunological function obviously in preschool children with iron-deficiency and sub-clinical deficiency of vitamin A.

Child↗