Correlation of Natural Killer(NK) Cell Activity,Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity(ADCC), and Serum Zinc Level in Behçet's Disease

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Zinc which is widely used to treat Behcet's disease, is known to be an important modulator in various aspects of immunity including cell mediated immunity (CMI). CMI is suspected of playing a major role in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to clarify the relationship of CMI and zinc in Behçet's disease. METHODS: Serum zinc level, NK cell activity, and ADCC were measured in 83 patients with Behçet's diseade. The results were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: ADCC and serum zinc level were found to be two significant variables that affect NK cell activity positively and negatively, respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum zinc is presumed to exert inhibitory effect on NK cell activity but does not affect ADCC in Behçet's disease patients.