Crude Palm Oil Consumption Improved CD4 and CD8 Protein Level in Housewife Lymphocytes at Dramaga and Babakan Villages, Kecamatan Dramaga Bogor

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most serious health problem in Indonesia. Crude palm oil (CPO) contains high carotenoid, such as β–carotene, as a source of provitamin A. However, its use in Indonesia does not exist. Socialization and distribution can increase application of CPO. Palm oil has been reported to improve health. β–carotene as a provitamin A can modulate immune functions, enhance cell proliferation and play role as an anticancer. CD4 is a marker protein on T helper (Th) cells while CD8 is a marker protein on T cytotoxic (Tc) cells. Increasing level of CD4 and CD8 protein is expected to increase immune responses. 70 respondents were given CPO freely for 2 months with one bottle of CPO containing 140 ml per week and then lymphocyte from 16 healthy housewife respondents were analyzed by using Bradford and ELISA method. Respondents acceptance to CPO was observed. Lymphocyte analyzed showed that most of respondents had increasing level of CD4 protein from 0.095 to 0.117 and CD8 protein from 0.078 to 0.079. This research shows that CPO consumption can increase the level of CD4 and CD8 proteins and also can be used as an alternative source of provitamin A for tackling vitamin A deficiency problem. In addition, respondents can accept CPO as a new product very well because it can increase respondents’s health.