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Discovery of edible fermentation product with unusual immune enhancing properties in humans
Author(s) -
Schauss Alexander G,
Vojdani Aristo
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a143-c
Subject(s) - immune system , phagocytosis , immunology , immunity , cd8 , macrophage , biology , innate immune system , saliva , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , in vitro , biochemistry
Control of immunity to reduce the risk of chronic and infectious diseases is critical to maintaining health. Unusually low sick leave rates in employees working in a fermentation facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, led to the discovery of a strain of Saccharomyces with significant immune enhancing properties. Fractionation analysis revealed a significant number of immune enhancing compounds that become ambient during production thereby “exposing” employees through inhalation. Blood studies of “exposed” and “unexposed” employees found that the exposed group had no change in CD4 (helper cells) but a significant decrease in CD8 (suppressor) cells, increased activity of NK cells, glutathione RBC, saliva secretory IgA, and decreased immune complexes (CIC). Unusually high ROS scavenging activity was found using 5 ROS scavenging assays, fresh human neutrophil cells, and phagocytosis activity (macrophage phagocytosis assay). Cell subsets analyzed for adhesion molecules combined with NK activation after exposure show an unusual ability to kill tumor cells and virally infected cells. A significant effect against E. coli and Candida was also found. These findings and others may explain the lack of influenza infections in these workers for periods of up to 30 years, despite periodic and widespread community‐wide outbreaks of influenza. Funding Source: Embria Health Sciences, Cedar Rapids, IA