Abstract
Oral treatment of zinc modulates cytokine secretion during the gestation, lactation, and weaning periods. We used a experimental mice model of zinc supplementation during the perinatal stages to study the effects of this ion over the production of interleukin IL‐1α, IL‐12, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha by peritoneal macrophages. In addition, we determined the gene expression of these cytokines. Zinc (500 mg/L) was orally administered to mice from gestation to lactation (6‐week treatment, Zn+) and weaning (9‐week treatment). The serum cytokines IL‐1α and IL‐12 were assayed in the offspring at 21 and 42 days after birth. Our results showed a significant (P < 0.01) increase in cytokine production in the Zn+ animals at the end of the lactation stage. There was a tendency for the IL‐1 concentration to decrease at postweaning; nevertheless, IL‐12 concentrations were increased in mice at 42 days of age (P < 0.001). The production of IL‐1α, IL‐12, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha in the macrophages supernatants in vitro followed the same tendencies (P < 0.001). Molecular analysis showed an increase of mRNA synthesis in all cases, from 4‐fold to 6‐fold, in the cytokines analyzed. Our results suggest that the increase in the proinflammatory cytokines as a result of zinc administration may potentiate Th1 cells response, which could lead to the increase of cytokine production in deficient newborns. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 17:123–135, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.