TY - JOUR JO - Central European Journal of Immunology SN - 1426-3912 VL - 39 IS - 2 PY - 2014 ID - Kheirouri2014 TI - Experimental immunologyDecreased serum and mucosa immunoglobulin A levels in vitamin A- and zinc-deficient mice AB - Simultaneous zinc and vitamin A deficiency are common health problems in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin A- and zinc-deficient diet on immunoglobulin A (IgA) response. Six-week-old mice were assigned into two groups receiving a normal vitamin A and zinc or low vitamin A and zinc diet for five months. Serum and intestinal mucosa IgA levels were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The concentration of zinc in serum was determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Vitamin A measurement in serum was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography. Mice maintained on a low vitamin A and zinc diet showed significantly greater food intake but lower production of IgA both in serum and mucosa. A mucosa IgA level was significantly higher in both control and deficient groups than the serum IgA level. Results indicated that zinc and vitamin A deficiency is associated with a lower production of IgA. Micronutrient intervention strategies addressing IgA-related gastrointestinal infections are needed. AU - Kheirouri, Sorayya AU - Alizadeh, Mohammad SP - 165 EP - 169 DA - 2014 DO - 10.5114/ceji.2014.43716 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/ceji.2014.43716 ER -