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Effects of zinc-fortified drinking skim milk (as functional food) on cytokine release and thymic hormone activity in very old persons: a pilot study

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Abstract

Zinc is a relevant nutritional factor for the whole life of an organism because it affects the inflammatory/immune response and antioxidant activity, leading to a healthy state. Despite its important function, the dietary intake of zinc is inadequate in elderly. Possible interventions include food fortification because it does not require changes in dietary patterns, the cost is low and it can reach a large portion of the elderly population, including very old subjects. Studies evaluating the impact of Zn-fortified foods on functional parameters in elderly, in particular, in very old individuals, are missing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of consumption of a zinc-fortified drinking skim milk (Zn-FMilk) for a period of 2 months in comparison to standard non-fortified milk (No-FMilk) on some biochemical parameters, zinc status, inflammatory/immune response and on a key parameter of the T cell-mediated immunity (thymulin hormone) in healthy very old subjects. The treatment with zinc-fortified milk (Zn-FMilk) is a good omen to increase the cell-mediated immunity in very old age represented by thymulin activity and some cytokine (IL-12p70, IFN-γ) release. At clinical level, a good healthy state occurs in 70 % of the subjects with no hospitalization after 1 year of the follow-up in comparison to very old control subjects that did not participate to crossover design. In conclusion, the Zn-FMilk can be considered a good functional food for elderly, including older people. It might be a good replacement to the zinc tablets or lozenges taking into account the attitude of old people to uptake milk as a preferential food.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by INRCA and Regione Marche, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Project “Il latte bovino come alimento funzionale per l’anziano” no. 361/S-10). The authors are indebted to the nursing homes of Cupramontana (AN) and Filottrano (AN) for their availability in the recruitment of the very old subjects. The authors are also indebted to the company “Cooperlat”, Jesi (AN), for the preparation of the milk added with zinc. The authors thank Mrs. Nazzarena Gasparini, Mr. Romeo Pierandrei and Mr. Enzo Cerusico for the excellent technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Translational Center of Research in Nutrition and Ageing, Scientific and Technologic Pole, INRCA, Ancona, Italy

    Laura Costarelli, Robertina Giacconi, Marco Malavolta, Andrea Basso, Francesco Piacenza & Eugenio Mocchegiani

  2. Nursing Home Rehabilitation, INRCA, Appignano, MC, Italy

    MariLuisa DeMartiis & Elvio Giannandrea

  3. Veterinary Faculty, University of Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy

    Carlo Renieri

  4. Laboratory Analysis, INRCA Hospital, Ancona, Italy

    Franco Busco & Roberta Galeazzi

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  1. Laura Costarelli
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  2. Robertina Giacconi
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  3. Marco Malavolta
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  4. Andrea Basso
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  5. Francesco Piacenza
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  6. MariLuisa DeMartiis
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  7. Elvio Giannandrea
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  8. Carlo Renieri
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  9. Franco Busco
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  10. Roberta Galeazzi
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  11. Eugenio Mocchegiani
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Correspondence to Eugenio Mocchegiani.

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Costarelli, L., Giacconi, R., Malavolta, M. et al. Effects of zinc-fortified drinking skim milk (as functional food) on cytokine release and thymic hormone activity in very old persons: a pilot study. AGE 36, 9656 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-014-9656-x

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