Zinc supplementation with or without additional micronutrients does not affect peripheral blood gene expression or serum cytokine level in Bangladeshi children

Preventive zinc supplementation provided as a stand-alone dispersible tablet, or via home fortification as multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs), has been considered a potential strategy to prevent zinc deficiency and improve health (including immune) outcomes among children in low- and middle-income countries. However, the impact of zinc supplementation on immune profiles has not been well characterised. We sought to define the effect of zinc supplementation on peripheral blood gene expression among young children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In a sub study of a large randomized, controlled, community-based efficacy trial where children 9-11 months of age received one of the following interventions on a daily basis for 24 weeks 1) MNPs containing 10 mg of zinc; 2) dispersible tablet containing 10 mg zinc; or 3) placebo powder, we used RNA-sequencing to profile the peripheral blood gene expression, as well as highly sensitive multiplex assays to detect cytokine profiles. We profiled samples from 100 children enrolled in the parent trial. We did not detect an effect from either zinc intervention on differential peripheral blood gene expression at the end of intervention, or an effect from intervention on change in gene expression from baseline. We also did not detect an effect from either intervention on cytokine concentrations. Exploratory analysis did not identify an association between undernutrition (defined as stunting, underweight or wasting) on peripheral blood gene expression. Peripheral blood mRNA profliing in children pre- and post- 6 months intervention (zinc tablet, micronutrient powder containing zinc, or placebo) as part of a randomised controlled trial.