Table 4.
Effect of zinc and placebo supplementation on interleukin (IL)2 mRNA and plasma zinc concentration in zinc-deficient elderly subjects.
| Baseline | 6 months | p = (time × groupa) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL-2 mRNAb | |||
| Zinc suppl.c | 0.38 ± 0.07d | 0.63 ± 0.03 | <0.001 |
| Placebo suppl.d | 0.40 ± 0.05 | 0.39 ± 0.04 | |
| Plasma Zne | |||
| Zinc suppl. | 84.0 ± 3.03 | 97.6 ± 5.98 | <0.0088 |
| Placebo suppl. | 0.8 ± 2.04 | 89.2 ± 3.06 |
Ref (5).
ap Value for change in groups over time. Multivariate repeated measures analyses were used to examine measures over time. bRelative expression of IL-2 mRNA/18S. cZinc supplemented (n = 6) or placebo supplemented (n = 6) zinc-deficient elderly subjects. dValues represent mean ± SD. There was no significant difference (t-test) in IL-2 mRNA between the two groups at baseline. In spite of the random assignment of zinc-deficient subjects into zinc and placebo group, the plasma zinc level was lower in the zinc group in comparison to the placebo group (p = 0.016). ePlasma zinc levels (microgram per deciliter).