Agrobacterium sp.-derived β-1,3-glucan enhances natural killer cell activity in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.
- Author:
Yeon Joo LEE
1
;
Doo Jin PAIK
;
Dae Young KWON
;
Hye Jeong YANG
;
Yongsoon PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Trial ; Randomized Controlled Trial ; Original Article
- Keywords: Glucans; natural killer cells; interleukin-10; cytokines; clinical trial
- MeSH: Adult*; Agrobacterium*; Capsules; Cytokines; Glucans; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Interferons; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-12; Interleukin-2; Interleukin-4; Interleukin-6; Interleukins; Killer Cells, Natural*; Leukocyte Count; Reference Values; Smoke; Smoking; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- From:Nutrition Research and Practice 2017;11(1):43-50
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: 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/µL were participated and randomly assigned to take two capsules per day containing either 350 mg β-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)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured. RESULTS: NK cell activity and the serum levels of IL-10 were significantly higher from baseline to week 8 in the β-glucan group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.048, P = 0.029). Consumption of β-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 β-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants with severe stress than in those experiencing mild stress. However, the administration β-1,3-glucan did not significantly modulate the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IgG compared with the placebo. CONCLUSION: The results showed that supplementation with bacterial β-1,3-glucan significantly increased NK cell activity without causing any adverse effects. Additionally, the beneficial effect of β-1,3-glucan on NK cell activity was greater in participants experiencing severe stress.
