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Long-term oral ingestion of unheated yuzu seed oil in humans reduces lipid peroxides in the blood. Moreover, yuzu seed oil contains limonin, which can induce antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by activating the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Previously, Nrf2 has been shown to reduce atopic dermatitis (AD). Therefore, we hypothesized that ingesting unheated yuzu seed oil can regulate AD through Nrf2. An AD model was established using NC/Nga mice through repeated local exposure to mite antigens. Unheated and purified yuzu seed oil (100 µL/mice) or water (control, 100 µL/mice) was administered orally once a day using a gastric cannula for rodents for 28 days. On day 28, mice in the unheated yuzu seed oil group exhibited significantly lower clinical skin severity scores and ear thickness than those in the purified yuzu seed oil and water groups. Serum histamine levels remained unaltered among the three AD-induced groups. Serum Dermatophagoides farina body (Dfb)-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were significantly lower in the unheated yuzu seed oil group. Oral ingestion of yuzu seed oil in NC/Nga AD model mice significantly suppressed dermatitis deterioration and decreased serum IgE levels. Clinical trials (n = 41) have already confirmed that unheated yuzu oil is safe for long-term intake, further suggesting its potential use in improving AD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study on the influence of Sophy ß-glucan on the growth and immunity development in broiler chicken. According to the authors, broiler chickens treated with one percent of ß-glucan and ad libitum with water resulted an increase in the mean body weight and the mean antibody titres, illustrating the presence of immue stimulating effect of ß-glucan. They add that the immuno-modularity role of ß-glucan in partitioning nutrients towards growth could be the reason for the improved growth of broiler chicken.

The β-glucans derived from yeast cell walls have been reported for having many immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Aureobasidium-derived soluble branched (1,3-1,6) β-glucan (Sophy β-glucan) was checked for natural killer (NK) activity and for the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in Leishmania amazonensis infection. The main experiment was performed with a group of female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, orally supplemented with 5% of Sophy β-glucan and infected with promastogotes of L. amazonensis (1 x 107) into the footpad. Increase in the footpad thickness with time was observed in BALB/c mice in spite of the oral Sophy b-glucan supplement, but it was less in C57BL/6 mice. The difference in overall mean footpad thickness between 'infection only' versus 'infection + glucan' groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). High NK activity in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice was observed in 'glucan only' group compared to the control group and also in 'infection + glucan' group compared to 'infection only' group. The difference in the NK activity among these groups was significant (P < 0.05). The IFN-γ level increased at weeks 7 and 8 post-infection in C57BL/6 mice and was significantly high in 'infection + glucan' group compared to the 'infection only' group (P < 0.05). IL-4 levels did not increase up to detectable levels throughout the study. The results led a conclusion that Sophy β-glucan enhances NK activity and cellular immunity in L. amazonensis-infected mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sophy β-glucan, a type of β-1,3-1,6 glucan produced by a black yeast Aureobasidium pollulans strain AF0-202, is currently approved for use as a health food supplement. The new genotypic avian influenza H5N1 is one of the major emerging infectious diseases causing concern and loss in Vietnam, Asian and several European countries during the 2003-2008 period. We examined the effect of Sophy β-glucan on the immune response against the new H5N1 vaccine made in Vietnam/China and H5N2 made in China. As a result, both H5N1 and H5N2 vaccines elicited a significantly high immune response with Sophy β-glucan supplied in drinking water in all the mice tested (2-3 log2 higher HI titer). These vaccines also elicitated ELISA positivity (ELISA (+): seroconversion) 10-20% higher than those used in groups vaccinated without Sophy β-glucan. We conclude that Sophy β-glucan showed an excellent adjuvant effect on H5N1 and H5N2 vaccinations in a mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian influenza virus vaccines produced in oil-emulsified inactivated form with antigen content of at least 160 hemagglutinin units (HAU) induced immunity in birds. However, in addition to enhancing the effect of the adjuvant(s), other additional supplemented biological compounds included in inactivated vaccines could produce higher levels of antibody. We examined in chickens, Vietnamese ducks, and muscovy ducks the adjuvant effect of Sophy β-glucan (SBG), a β-1,3-1,6 glucan produced by the black yeast Aureobasidium pollulans strain AF0-202, when administered with an avian influenza H5 subtype vaccine. In Experiment 1, 40 chickens (ISA Brown hybrid), allocated to four groups of ten each, were immunized with Oil-H5N1(VN), Oil-H5N1(CN), Oil-H5N2(CN), and saline (control group), respectively. In Experiment 2, chickens (ISA Brown hybrid), muscovy ducks (French hybrid), and Vietnamese ducks (indigenous Vietnamese) were used to further assess the effect of SBG on immunogenicity of the Oil-H5N1(VN) Vietnamese vaccine. ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays were used to assess the antibody response. The H5 subtype vaccines initiated significantly higher immune responses in the animals dosed with SBG, with 1.0-1.5 log2 higher HI titers and 10-20% ELISA seroconversion, compared with those not dosed with β-glucan. Notably, some of the animals dosed with SBG induced HI titers higher than 9.0 log2 following boosting immunization. Taken together, our serial studies indicated that SBG is a potential effector, such as enhancing the immune response to the H5 vaccines tested.

The beta-glucans derived from yeast cell walls have been reported for having many immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Aureobasidium-derived soluble branched (1,3-1,6) beta-glucan (Sophy beta-glucan) was checked for natural killer (NK) activity and for the production of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in Leishmania amazonensis infection. The main experiment was performed with a group of female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, orally supplemented with 5% of Sophy beta-glucan and infected with promastogotes of L. amazonensis (1 x 10(7)) into the footpad. Increase in the footpad thickness with time was observed in BALB/c mice in spite of the oral Sophy beta-glucan supplement, but it was less in C57BL/6 mice. The difference in overall mean footpad thickness between 'infection only' versus 'infection + glucan' groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). High NK activity in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice was observed in 'glucan only' group compared to the control group and also in 'infection + glucan' group compared to 'infection only' group. The difference in the NK activity among these groups was significant (P < 0.05). The IFN-gamma level increased at weeks 7 and 8 post-infection in C57BL/6 mice and was significantly high in 'infection + glucan' group compared to the 'infection only' group (P < 0.05). IL-4 levels did not increase up to detectable levels throughout the study. The results led a conclusion that Sophy beta-glucan enhances NK activity and cellular immunity in L. amazonensis-infected mice.