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The effect of beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on NK cell activity in human volunteers.

In the study in mice (see below) beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan modulates cytokine levels that are necessary to combat infectious organisms and suppress autoimmune diseases; in this study in human volunteers, beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan increased NK cell activity by an average increase of 163%, (Table 4) indicating activation of the innate immune system and its accompanying increased ability to combat viral and bacterial infections as well as combat transformed cells.

 

Table 4

Effect of oral insoluble ß-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on NK cell

activity in normal human volunteers

 

Volunteer

NK Cell activity

% Change

0 time

12 weeks

1

52

88

169

2

28

85

303

3

53

83

156

4

14

22

157

5

42

51

121

6

70

41

-58

Average

259

370

163

 


The effect of beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on cytokine levels in mice. 

Mice were fed for 28 days with a standard diet containing 40g/ton (100 µg/day/animal) beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan.  Control animal were fed a diet without additives (each group contained 15 mice).  On Day 28 the mice were sacrificed and the level of the cytokines IL-3, IL-4, IFN-y and TGF-ß. 

The results (Table 3) show that beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan modulated the immune system in mice by modulating the level of cytokines.  Of the four cytokines measured the levels of IL-3 and IL-4 do not change, however the level of IFN-y, a cytokine that is used clinically to treat hepatitis C, increases by 50% and the levels of TGF-ß decrease by 85%.


 

Table 3

The Effect of beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on selected Cytokines in Mouse Blood.

Cytokine

Control pg/ml

Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan pg/ml

Function

IL-3

10.4 ± 0.09

9.3 ± 0.08

Differentiation and survival of lymphoid and myeloid cells

IL-4

14.3 ± 3.2

14.3 ±  3.2

Proliferation; differentiation of Th2; promotes IgG and IgE production;

IFN-γ

27.5 ± 11.4

41.9 ± 13.2

Powerful antiviral produced by Th1 and NK cells.Promotes activation of antigen presenting cells and cell-mediated immunity.

TGF-β

1751 ± 396

291 ± 140.6

Treg cell maintenance; promotes Th17 cells

The increased the levels of IFN-y indicates that the animals that were given beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan in the feed are better able to combat infections and especially viral infections. The decreased levels of TGF-ß suggest that beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan is involved in regulating the inflammatory response and may be beneficial in suppressing autoimmune reactions.

 


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