title: Consumption of cranberry polyphenols enhances human γδ-T cell proliferation and reduces the number of symptoms associated with colds and influenza: a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our main objective was to evaluate the ability of cranberry phytochemicals to modify immunity, specifically γδ-T cell proliferation, after daily consumption of a cranberry beverage, and its effect on health outcomes related to cold and influenza symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel intervention. Subjects drank a low calorie cranberry beverage (450 ml) made with a juice-derived, powdered cranberry fraction (n = 22) or a placebo beverage (n = 23), daily, for 10 wk. PBMC were cultured for six days with autologous serum and PHA-L stimulation. Cold and influenza symptoms were self-reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proliferation index of γδ-T cells in culture was almost five times higher after 10 wk of cranberry beverage consumption (p <0.001). In the cranberry beverage group, the incidence of illness was not reduced, however significantly fewer symptoms of illness were reported (p = 0.031).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consumption of the cranberry beverage modified the ex vivo proliferation of γδ-T cells. As these cells are located in the epithelium and serve as a first line of defense, improving their function may be related to reducing the number of symptoms associated with a cold and flu.
authors: Meri P
authors: MP
authors: Nantz
authors: Cheryl A
authors: CA
authors: Rowe
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Muller
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Creasy
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Colee
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Khoo
authors: Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, University of Florida, Box 110370, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. percival@ufl.edu.
authors: Susan S
authors: SS
authors: Percival
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003139:Common Cold / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D015994:Incidence; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D064306:Non-Nutritive Sweeteners / Q000032:analysis; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D029799:Vaccinium macrocarpon / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D064306:Non-Nutritive Sweeteners; D059808:Polyphenols; D044945:Proanthocyanidins