Glucan supplementation enhances the immune response against an influenza challenge in mice.
BACKGROUND
The strong immunostimulating potential of β-glucans has been well established in numerous diseases. However, the effects on viral infection were less studied.


METHODS
In our study, we focused on possible effects of a special combined glucan formulation on immunosuppression caused by influenza infection.


RESULTS
We found that a 2-week oral feeding with glucan mixture significantly reduced the effects of influenza infection in total mortality. Our study was focused on phagocytosis, cytokine levels, antibody response and cytotoxicity assay.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our data, we concluded that these effects are caused by stimulation of both cellular and humoral immune reaction resulting in lower viral load.
Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
Vaclav
V
Vetvicka
Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
Jana
J
Vetvickova
Glucan; immune system; influenza; virus