Yeast-derived β-1,3/1,6 glucan, upper respiratory tract infection and innate immunity in older adults

Objective: The aims of this study were to test whether yeast-derived beta-1,3/1,6 glucan can prevent the occurrence or reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and modulate innate immune responses during winter months in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This was a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of community-dwelling adults ages 50 to 70 y randomized to once-daily beta-1,3/1,6 glucan (Wellmune 250 mg/d; n = 50) or identical placebo capsule (n = 50) over 90 d during winter. URTI episodes were medically confirmed. Symptom severity was recorded via self-reported daily Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Score 21. Blood and saliva samples were collected at days 0, 45, and 90 for measurements of innate immune parameters. Results: Forty-nine participants completed the trial in each group. Supplementation was well tolerated. Forty-five URTI5 were confirmed: 28 in the placebo group and 17 in the Wellmune group (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-1.26; P = 0.149). There was a strong trend for Wellmune to decrease the number of symptom days (P = 0.067). Symptom severity did not differ significantly between groups. Compared with the placebo group, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated blood from participants in the Wellmune group showed an increase in interferon-gamma concentration from baseline at day 45 (P = 0.016) and smaller decreases in monokine induced by interferon-gamma concentration from baseline at days 45 and 90 (P = 0.032 and 0.046, respectively). No difference was seen in serum or nonstimulated blood cytoldnes and chemokines or in salivary immunoglobulin A. Conclusion: Daily oral beta-1,3/1,6 glucan may protect against URTIs and reduce the duration of URTI symptoms in older individuals once infected. This may be linked to effects on innate immune function. Larger studies are needed to confirm the benefits of (beta-1,3/1,6 glucan on URTI5 in this older population. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.