Wang R D, Wang C S, Feng Z H, Luo Y
Department of Biochemistry, Wuhan Medical School for Metallurgical Industry.
J Tongji Med Univ. 1992;12(1):33-8. doi: 10.1007/BF02887756.
The effects of selenium on T lymphocyte proliferation and its mechanisms have been investigated. The results showed that selenium is able to enhance lectin-stimulated T lymphocyte proliferation, to increase the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) by lymphocytes and interleukin 1 (IL-1) by macrophages in the presence of lectin and to augment the response of T lymphoblasts to IL-2 and that of thymocytes to IL-1. The data presented suggest that selenium may be an important modulator for immune response. Selenium might enhance IL-2 production and response through the augmentation of IL-1 production and response, thereby promoting the enhancement of the proliferation and action of T lymphocytes and other immunocompetent cells. Based on these results, we may consider using selenium as an immunological enhancement agent to enhance or recover immune functions of the organism.
