Regulatory effects of a fermented food concentrate on immune function parameters in healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
Nutrition is known to influence the immune system and can thereby modulate resistance to infection. The objective of this clinical trial was to assess the influence of a cascade-fermented food consisting of fruits, nuts, and vegetables rich in polyphenols (Regulat) on the immune system in healthy volunteers.


METHODS
The clinical trial was double-blinded and placebo-controlled. In total, 48 healthy men 20-48 y of age with a body mass index of 20-28 kg/m(2) were enrolled in the clinical trial. The group was characterized according to lifestyle parameters and only men with regular low to moderate intake of fruit and vegetables were enrolled. The intervention lasted for a period of 4 wk. Volunteers received Regulat twice daily or a placebo product (essence of vinegar).


RESULTS
The intake of Regulat significantly enhanced intracellular glutathione content in lymphocytes (P < 0.05), monocytes (P < 0.05), and natural killer cells (P < 0.01). Furthermore, activation of natural killer cell cytotoxicity in response to interleukin-2 stimulation (P < 0.05), a reduction of total lipid peroxidation, and a reduction of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (P < 0.01) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (P < 0.05) as inflammatory blood markers were found in the Regulat but not in the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, the results from this intervention study demonstrate promising physiologic effects of immune regulation on the innate immune system and antioxidative and anti-inflammatory parameters after Regulat supplementation. However, these promising results need to be confirmed in more volunteers with a more prolonged application to ensure significant beneficial effects of Regulat in the general population.
Schoen
Christiane
C
BioTeSys GmbH, Esslingen, Germany. c.schoen@biotesys.de
Schulz
Anne
A
Schweikart
Jennifer
J
Schütt
Sabine
S
von Baehr
Volker
V
D000328:Adult; D055612:Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005285:Fermentation; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005638:Fruit; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007249:Inflammation; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000276:immunology*; D009754:Nuts; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult
D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D005978:Glutathione