title: A new immunomodulatory function of low-viscous konjac glucomannan with a small particle size: its oral intake suppresses spontaneously occurring dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Konjac glucomannan (GM) is a well-known dietary fiber with various beneficial functions: the higher viscosity displayed the stronger potency. However, the high-viscous GM powders, ordinary konjac powder and highly purified GM were mostly unsuitable for the application to various food industries. Our aims are to develop new physiological functions of low-viscous GM powder, pulverized GM or re-granulated fine GM, using a murine model of atopic dermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male 4-week-old NC/Nga mice were fed for 8 weeks on diets containing 5% of two high-viscous and two low-viscous GM powders, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Striking suppression against the aggravation of dermatitis, the increase in scratching behaviors, and the rise in IgE levels was recognized only in mice fed on the pulverized GM diet, but not in mice fed on the other GM diets or a control diet. Eczema prevention in the fine GM-fed mice was accompanied by a significant decrease in their plasma IFN-gamma levels, a positive regulatory cytokine for atopic skin inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only the pulverized GM possessed the ability to suppress the development of dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. This is the new immunomodulatory function of low-viscous GM with a small particle size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan. onishi@nishikawa-rbr.co.jp
authors.forename: Nobukazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Onishi
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawamoto
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakano
authors.forename: Tsunehiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aki
authors.forename: Seiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shigeta
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ono
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015536:Down-Regulation; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010316:Particle Size; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D008351:Mannans; D015847:Interleukin-4; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma