1A-S1-2
EFFECTS OF RARs GENE EXPRESSION ON IMMUNE FUNCTIONS OF
INFANTS WITH VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY Wang WP, Zhang J and Yang Y Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China Objective: To study the mechanism
of promotive effects of Vitamin A (VA) supplement on anti-infection
immunity of young children. Methods: The levels of serum
vitamin A of 204 children aged 2~6 years in rural area were surveyed. 108
children whose serum vitamin A were lower than 0.70 mmol/L, received supplementation
of VA in a period of 10 months. The levels of serum IgG and IgG subclasses,
serum anti-pertussis antibody, sIgA of saliva, and the transcription level
of retinoic acid receptor-a (RARa) gene were measured. The
incidences of infectious diseases were recorded. Results: A significant
correlation was found between serum VA and the expression of RARa gene in lymphocytes of the
children. Following up 108 children with serum vitamin A lower than 0.70 mmol/L, 85 of them the data are
valid finally. According to the individual dynamic situation of serum VA at
the end of the experiment, the children were divided into changed group
(represents VA nutritional status rectified effectually) and unchanged
group. Comparing with that of unchanged group, serum IgG3
concentration was reduced and the serum IgG4, anti-pertussis
antibody, saliva sIgA was increased significantly (P<0.05) in the change
group. In group of children aged 2~3 years old, the risk of diarrhea in the
unchanged group was 3.33 times higher than that in the changed group
(P<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that the melioration of VA
nutritional status on account of the supplementation improved the immune
functions and ability against infection in young children with VA
deficiency, which is related to the expression of RARa gene in lymphocytes. Present
study provides the evidence that the VA nutritional status play an
important role for natural expression of RARa gene that induces mainly
functional activities of lymphocytes in young children.