Yes, vitamin B12 treatment can increase lymphocytes. The reference provided supports this answer.
How Vitamin B12 Affects Lymphocytes
The provided information states that vitamin B12 can affect lymphocytes:
- Increased Lymphocyte Count: Vit. B12 treatment led to an increase in the number of lymphocytes, including CD8+ cells, not only in patients but also in control subjects. This indicates a general increase in lymphocyte population due to B12.
- Specific Lymphocyte Subtypes: The rise includes CD8+ cells, which are cytotoxic T lymphocytes important for immune responses against infected or cancerous cells.
- NK Cell Activity: ...and to a significant increase of NK cell activity in patients. NK cells are natural killer cells, another type of lymphocyte crucial for innate immunity. The information shows that B12 can boost their activity.
Practical Implications
This increase in lymphocytes and NK cell activity suggests that vitamin B12 may play a role in supporting the immune system. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications.
