Agrobacterium sp.-derived beta-1,3-glucan enhances natural killer cell activity in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study
2017
Lee, Y.J., Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Paik, D.J., Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Kwon, D.Y., Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Republic of Korea | Yang, H.J., Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Republic of Korea | Park, Y.S., Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the hypothesis that a highly pure linear β-1,3-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. R259 enhances human natural killer (NK) cell activity and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In an eight-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 83 healthy adults with white blood cell counts of 4,000-8,000 cells/microliter were participated and randomly assigned to take two capsules per day containing either 350 mg beta-1,3-glucan or placebo. Six participants withdrew their study consent or were excluded due to NK cell activity levels outside the normal range. NK cell activity and serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured. RESULTS: NK cell activity and the serum levels of IL-10 were significantly higher from baseline to week 8 in the beta-glucan group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.048, P = 0.029). Consumption of beta-1,3-glucan also significantly increased NK cell activity compared with placebo after adjusting for smoking and stress status (P = 0.009). In particular, the effect of beta-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants with severe stress than in those experiencing mild stress. However, the administration beta-1,3-glucan did not significantly modulate the levels of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IgG compared with the placebo. CONCLUSION: The results showed that supplementation with bacterial beta-1,3-glucan significantly increased NK cell activity without causing any adverse effects. Additionally, the beneficial effect of beta-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants experiencing severe stress.
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