title: Glucan and humic acid: synergistic effects on the immune system.
abstract: Humic acids are compounds resulting from decomposition of organic matter. Despite their common presence, our knowledge of their biological effects is limited, and current findings are controversial. We decided to evaluate the immunological effects of two different types of humic acids, differing in source and biochemical characteristics. Using both components either alone or in combination with the well-established yeast-derived immunomodulator glucan, we measured their effects on both the cellular (phagocytosis and tumor suppression) and humoral (antibody production and cytokine secretion) branches of immune reactions. In summary, our results suggest that humic acids are biologically active immunodulators affecting both the humoral and cellular branches of immune reactions. In addition, the two humic acids studied here are working in synergy in stimulation of the immune reaction, supporting further studies of these natural immunomodulators.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA. vaclav@iglou.com
authors.forename: Vaclav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vetvicka
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baigorri
authors.forename: Angel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zamarreño
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Garcia-Mina
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yvin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015003:Yeasts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005936:Glucans; D006812:Humic Substances; D007155:Immunologic Factors