ABSTRACT
Introduction 98
The Immune Response to Infection Injury and Inflammatory Agents 98
The Function of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines During the Normal
Response to Infection and Injury 99
Adverse Effects of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines 101
Anti-Oxidant Defenses are Interlinked and Interdependent 101
A Decline in Anti-Oxidant Defenses and Increased Oxidant Damage
Follows Infection and Injury 102
Aging Increases Oxidative and Inflammatory Stress 103
Mechanisms Underlying Low-Grade Inflammation During Aging 105
Mechanisms of the Effects of Oxidants and Anti-Oxidants
on Inflammation and Immune Function 106
Effects of Anti-Oxidants on Immune Function 110
Effects of Vitamin E 110
Ascorbic Acid and Immune Function 111
Glutathione and Immune Function 111
Effects of Substances that Act as Precursors for GSH or Cofactors
in Enzyme Pathways Associated with GSH on Immune Function 112
Effects of Precursors of GSH on Immune Function 112
Effects of Vitamin B6 on Immune Function 114
Effects of Folic Acid on Immune Function 115
Taurine and Immune Function 115
Conclusions 116
References 117
INTRODUCTION
The production of oxidant molecules is both an integral part of the immune
response and a major modulator of immune function. As a corollary to this
concept anti-oxidant defences play a pivotal role in immune function by poten-
tially interacting at both of these levels. In practice, however, anti-oxidants
exert only a modulatory influence on the effects of oxidants on immune function.
The reduction in anti-oxidant defenses that occurs during the normal process of
inflammation may be an attempt by the body to expose pathogens to the full
strength of oxidants produced by the immune system. This phenomenon is, as
will be seen later, not without risk to the host.
