Agrobacterium sp.-derived β-1,3-glucan enhances natural killer cell activity in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the hypothesis that a highly pure linear beta-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/mu L were participated and randomly assigned to take two capsules per day containing either 350 mg 13-1,3-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 P-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 13-1,3-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.