Vitamin A status is associated with T-cell responses in Bangladeshi men

Abstract

Recommendations for vitamin A intake are based on maintaining liver stores of ≥ 0·070 μmol/g, which is sufficient to maintain normal vision. We propose that higher levels may be required to maintain normal immune function. To test this hypothesis, we conducted an 8-week residential study among thirty-six healthy Bangladeshi men with low vitamin A stores. Subjects were randomised to receive vitamin A (240 mg in four doses) or placebo during study weeks 2 and 3. Vitamin A stores were estimated by isotopic dilution at week 8. Total T-cells, the naive T-cells:memory T-cells ratio and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation were positively and significantly correlated with vitamin A stores (P < 0·05). Mitogen-stimulated IL-2, IL-4 and TNFα increased significantly (P < 0·05) in the vitamin A but not placebo group after supplementation, while IL-10 production was significantly and negatively correlated with vitamin A stores (P < 0·05). Segmented linear regression analysis revealed that naive T-cell counts and T-cell blastogenesis were positively associated with vitamin A stores above but not below 0·070 μmol/g liver. These data show that increasing vitamin A stores above the level that maintains normal vision enhances some measures of T-cell-mediated immunity, suggesting a difference in requirements for maintaining vision and immune function.