title: The hemicellulose preparation, Natramune (PDS-2865), increases macrophage phagocytosis and nitric oxide production and increases circulating human lymphocytes levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hemicellulose containing nutritional supplements demonstrate benefits to the immune system in vitro and in vivo. Here we show that Natramune (PDS-2865) stimulates phagocytosis, nitric oxide production and boosts viability in J774A.1 murine machrophages. We also show that dietary supplementation with Natramune (PDS-2865) significantly increases the levels of circulating lymphocytes in human subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to measure the beneficial effects of Natramune (PDS-2865) on cells of the immune system, phagocytosis was measured by J774A.1 uptake of fluorescently labeled E. Coli bioparticles, nitric oxide production was measured by the formation of nitrite, and cell proliferation and viability was measured by NADH reduction of WST-8. The effect of Natramune (PDS-2865) on human circulating leukocyte levels was measured in 18 volunteers after an 8 week regimen of two 250 mg doses daily after which blood was collected and blood cell number and types were counted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Natramune (PDS-2865) stimulated phagocytosis, nitric oxide production and promoted proliferation/viability in J774A.1 cells by 65%, 517%, and 155% respectively. Further, Natramune (PDS-2865) did boost human circulating total lymphocyte levels (18%) in a statistically significant manner and while all lymphocyte subtype levels also increased, the individual subtype increases were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary supplementation with Natramune (PDS-2865) enhances immune system function and vitality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences Program, Adelphi University, One South Avenue, Garden City, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Pedro P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Perez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C007916:hemicellulose