Effect of high dose of Zinc on increasing IFN-γ levels

Zinc is administered in the management of diarrhea as a daily supplement at a maintenance dose. However, the dosage of this trace element remains unclear in allergic conditions. Allergy requires strengthening the pattern of Th1 (IFN-γ) and Treg cell cytokines (TGF-β) to suppress the production of Th2 (IL-4). The effect of different zinc dose must be identified on the balance between pro-inflammatory Th1 (IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokines Treg (TGF-β). Therefore, this research aims to examine the effect of zinc sulfate supplementation from maintenance to high dose on IFN-γ and TGF-β levels before and after supplementation. An experimental analysis, "Pre-Post Control Group Design," was conducted on 30 two-week-old male Rattus norvegicus rats. This research included an oral supplementation group receiving zinc sulfate solution at maintenance (0.05 mg and 0.1 mg) and high (0.15 mg and 0.35 mg) dose for 14 days, with one control group. The results showed that IFN-γ levels increased significantly with high zinc dose, while TGF-β levels had a tendency to decrease (p<0.05). TGF-β levels were higher at a dose of 0.15 mg compared to 0.35 mg or 0.1 mg. The optimal dose was 0.15 mg, which increased IFN-γ levels and maintained optimal TGF-β levels. High-dose zinc supplementation of 0.15 mg/day was most effective in increasing IFN-γ (Th1) cytokines. Meanwhile, high-dose zinc sulfate supplementation increased IFN-γ and decreased TGF-β levels.