How Do Essential Vitamins and Minerals Boost the Immune System Against Tuberculosis? | ||
| Bulletin of Pharmaceutical Sciences Assiut University | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 28 September 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Review Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/bfsa.2025.387334.2567 | ||
| Authors | ||
| khaldoon Jasim Mohammed* 1; Murtadha Kadhim Hasan2; Ahmed Falah Imran1 | ||
| 1Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences for Girls, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq | ||
| 2Department of Biology, College of science for Girls, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a global health challenge, especially in regions with high infection rates and limited healthcare access. Nutritional factors, particularly vitamins and minerals, play a vital role in modulating immune responses, which may enhance therapeutic strategies. This review examines the role of essential vitamins and minerals in boosting the immune response against TB, summarizing their mechanisms and clinical implications. It analyzes peer-reviewed articles, clinical studies, and meta-analyses from databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on the relationship between micronutrient levels and immune responses in TB patients through in vitro and in vivo studies. Vitamins enhance immune functions, with vitamin C capable of making drug-resistant M. tuberculosis cultures germ-free, helping prevent drug resistance. Vitamin D can slow Mycobacterium replication, while vitamin E helps manage TB by maintaining oxidative balance. Patients with tuberculosis often have low vitamin B12 levels, but genetic variations in B12 metabolism do not directly affect susceptibility to TB. The synergistic interaction between micronutrients such as zinc and vitamin A enhances cellular immunity and strengthens mucosal barriers, improving the body's resistance to tuberculosis and reducing the severity of respiratory infections. Vitamin D's activation of antimicrobial peptides is supported by zinc's role in immune cell signaling, and the antioxidant effects of vitamin C and selenium are mutually reinforcing. Selenium and vitamin D contribute to the activation of antimicrobial peptides and reduce inflammation, enhancing the immune response against TB and improving treatment outcomes. Magnesium enhances vital enzyme functions, while vitamin C reduces oxidative......... | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Vitamin D; Vitamin B12; Zinc; Selenium | ||
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