Mauritio
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Zinc helps regenerate thymus tissue in mice.
Here's an article on it:
From the actual study:
"Restoration of T cell immunity is dependent on tissue regeneration in the thymus, the primary site of T cell development; although the capacity of the thymus to repair itself diminishes over lifespan. However, although boosting thymic function and T cell reconstitution is of considerable clinical importance, there are currently no approved therapies for treating lymphopenia. Here we found that Zinc (Zn), is critically important for both normal T cell development as well as repair after acute damage. Accumulated Zn in thymocytes during development was released into the extracellular milieu after HSCT conditioning, where it triggered regeneration by stimulating endothelial cell-production of BMP4 via the cell surface receptor GPR39. Dietary supplementation of Zn was sufficient to promote thymic function in a mouse model of allogeneic HSCT, including enhancing the number of recent thymic emigrants in circulation; although direct targeting of GPR39 with a small molecule agonist enhanced thymic function without the need for prior Zn accumulation in thymocytes."
Here's an article on it:
Burst of accumulated zinc shows how the mineral boosts immune function, suggesting ways to improve health: In mice, zinc helps thymus of the immune system regrow and immune-cell recovery after bone marrow transplant
Zinc's immune-boosting properties are well-established, but scientists haven't known exactly how it works. Scientists now reveal two ways the mineral supports immunity and suggest how it could be used to improve health. Using mice, the team discovered that zinc is needed for the development of...
www.sciencedaily.com
From the actual study:
"Restoration of T cell immunity is dependent on tissue regeneration in the thymus, the primary site of T cell development; although the capacity of the thymus to repair itself diminishes over lifespan. However, although boosting thymic function and T cell reconstitution is of considerable clinical importance, there are currently no approved therapies for treating lymphopenia. Here we found that Zinc (Zn), is critically important for both normal T cell development as well as repair after acute damage. Accumulated Zn in thymocytes during development was released into the extracellular milieu after HSCT conditioning, where it triggered regeneration by stimulating endothelial cell-production of BMP4 via the cell surface receptor GPR39. Dietary supplementation of Zn was sufficient to promote thymic function in a mouse model of allogeneic HSCT, including enhancing the number of recent thymic emigrants in circulation; although direct targeting of GPR39 with a small molecule agonist enhanced thymic function without the need for prior Zn accumulation in thymocytes."
