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Predicate | Object |
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rdf:type | |
lifeskim:mentions | |
pubmed:issue |
5
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pubmed:dateCreated |
1996-12-17
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pubmed:abstractText |
Natural killer (NK) cell activity has been postulated to be an immunologic link between beta-carotene and cancer prevention. In a cross-sectional, placebo-controlled, double-blind study we examined the effect of 10-12 y of beta-carotene supplementation (50 mg on alternate days) on NK cell activity in 59 (38 middle-aged men, 51-64 y; 21 elderly men, 65-86 y) Boston area participants in the Physicians' Health Study. No significant difference was seen in NK cell activity due to beta-carotene supplementation in the middle-aged group. The elderly men had significantly lower NK cell activity than the middle-aged men; however, there was no age-associated difference in NK cell activity in men supplemented with beta-carotene. beta-carotene-supplemented elderly men had significantly greater NK cell activity than elderly men receiving placebo. The reason for this is unknown; however, it was not due to an increase in the percentage of NK cells, nor to an increase in interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor expression, nor to IL-2 production. beta-carotene may be acting directly on one or more of the lytic stages of NK cell cytotoxicity, or on NK cell activity-enhancing cytokines other than IL-2, such as IL-12. Our results show that long-term beta-carotene supplementation enhances NK cell activity in elderly men, which may be beneficial for viral and tumoral surveillance.
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pubmed:grant | |
pubmed:language |
eng
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pubmed:journal | |
pubmed:citationSubset |
AIM
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pubmed:chemical | |
pubmed:status |
MEDLINE
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pubmed:month |
Nov
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pubmed:issn |
0002-9165
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pubmed:author | |
pubmed:issnType |
Print
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pubmed:volume |
64
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pubmed:owner |
NLM
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pubmed:authorsComplete |
Y
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pubmed:pagination |
772-7
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pubmed:dateRevised |
2008-11-21
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pubmed:meshHeading |
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Aged,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Aged, 80 and over,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Double-Blind Method,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Food, Fortified,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Humans,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Immunity, Innate,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Interleukin-2,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Killer Cells, Natural,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Male,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Middle Aged,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Prospective Studies,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-Receptors, Interleukin-2,
pubmed-meshheading:8901800-beta Carotene
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pubmed:year |
1996
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pubmed:articleTitle |
Natural killer cell activity in elderly men is enhanced by beta-carotene supplementation.
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pubmed:affiliation |
Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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pubmed:publicationType |
Journal Article,
Clinical Trial,
Comparative Study,
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.,
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.,
Randomized Controlled Trial,
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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