Interleukins INDEX

Multiple factors associated with copper deficiency are responsible for the increased rate of infection seen. Most copper-deficient patients are malnourished and suffer from impaired weight gain. The immune system requires copper to perform several functions. Recent research showed that interleukin 2 is reduced in copper deficiency and is probably the mechanism by which T-cell proliferation is reduced. These results were extended to show that even in marginal deficiency, when common indexes of copper are not affected by the diet, the proliferative response and interleukin concentrations are reduced. The number of neutrophils in human peripheral blood is reduced in cases of severe copper deficiency. Not only are they reduced in number, but their ability to generate superoxide anion and kill ingested microorganisms is also reduced in both overt and marginal copper deficiency. This mechanism is not yet understood. 

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