Abstract
Effects of very low calorie diet (VLCD) on the subpopulation of peripheral lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were observed in twelve obese subjects to study whether the restriction of calorie intake influences on immune functions in human. The changes in the subpopulation of lymphocytes (OKT4/OKT8 ratio, B-1) and NK cells (Leu-11a, Leu-7) in peripheral blood were investigated before and 14 days after starting VLCD, using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry, 14 days of VLCD (420 Cal/day) caused a significant reduction of body weight as well as an increase of Leu-11a positive NK cells, whereas OKT4/OKT8 ratio, ratio of B-1 or Leu-7 positive cells were unchanged. These results suggest that restriction of calorie intake possibly influences on immune functions in human.
