[Effect of zinc on thymulin level in mice].

Objective: In order to investigate the roles of the different levels of zinc nutrition status on the thymulin of the mice.

Methods: The experiment included two periods: zinc depleted period and repletion period. In the depleted period, mice were divided into 3 dose groups: zinc deficient group (ZD, 5.2 mg/kg), zinc pair-fed group (PZ) and normal zinc group(NZ,25.6 mg/kg). In the repletion period, mice were divided into 3 dose groups: ZD group, DZ-NZ group and PZ-NZ group.

Results: The results showed that a signification decrease of thymulin level was observed as a result of zinc deficiency and was increased rapidly follow zinc supplement, while the plasma zinc was kept the same level.

Conclusion: The thymulin is a sensitive biomarker for assess the zinc status.