Involvement of dietary nucleotides in T lymphocyte function.

The data described above show clearly that absence of a dietary source of preformed purine or pyrimidine bases suppress T lymphocyte function. The heart allograft model assesses the T lymphocyte response to allografts. The SRBC sensitization assay indicates the activity of T effector cells is involved in delayed hypersensitivity. The mitogen assays clearly indicate a dietary effect on in vitro T cell response. The effect of dietary nucleotides on immune function should be of great importance in a number of clinical situations. These include management of organ transplant patients, in recovery from malnutrition, in various chemotherapeutic regimens and in treatment of T cell derived leukemias.