Objective To determine whether supplementation of zinc and vitamin A may improve the function of T cells in human PBMC. Methods T cells were separated and cultured in vitro,supplemented with either Zn or vitamin A alone,or both Zn and vitamin A(10-6 mol/L,10-5 mol/L,10-4 mol/L). After harvesting,cell proliferation,cell cycle,apoptosis,expression or function of cell-surface molecules,such as CD3+,CD4+,and CD8+ were detected. Results Higher proliferation level and lower apoptosis level were observed in cells supplemented with both Zn and vitamin A,showing the strongest effect(P<0.05). Zn-supplement increased the CD4+/CD3+ cell percentage,and simultaneously decreased the CD8+/CD3+ cell population. VA-supplement showed the opposite effect in comparison with Zn-supplement. Conclusion T-cell function can be improved,depending on the zinc and/or vitamin A supplemented. Methods T cells were separated and cultured in vitro, supplemented with either Zn or vitamin A alone, or both Zn and vitamin A (10-6 After harvesting, cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, expression or function of cell-surface molecules, such as CD3 +, CD4 +, and CD8 + were detected. Results Higher proliferation level and lower apoptosis level were observed in cells supplemented with both Zn and vitamin A, showing the strongest effect (P <0.05). Zn-supplement increased the CD4 + / CD3 + cell percentage, and then decreased the CD8 + / CD3 + cell population . VA-supplement showed the opposite effect in comparison with Zn-supplement. Conclusion T-cell function can be improved, depending on the zinc and / or vitamin A supplemented.