ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the T lymphocyte subgroups and the levels of serum zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) in patients with diarrhea type of irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 30 D-IBS patients and 30 control subjects were enrolled in this study, and their peripheral blood samples were collected. The percentage of peripheral CD3, CD4, CD8 T lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the ratio of CD4/CD8 was calculated. Serum Zn, Fe and Cu levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry(AAS), and the Se level by atomic fluorometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with control group,the percentage of CD4 T lymphocyte and the ratio of CD4/CD8 in D-IBS group were significantly lower (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in serum Zn, Se, Fe, Cu levels between two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The declines of peripheral blood CD4 T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4/CD8 may suggest a cellular immune abnormality in D-IBS patients. There was no significant difference in trace elements levels between the two groups.</p>