Double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study of Kjellmaniella crassifolia Miyabe (Gagome) in human: The potential of Gagome to activate the immune system
Journal Title: Functional Foods in Health and Disease - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 10
Abstract
Background: Marine brown algae, Kjellmaniella crassifolia Miyabe (Gagome) is extensively harvested in Northern Japan and is known to help improve the immune system and prevent lifestyle diseases by its functional constituents, particularly the polysaccharide fucoidan. However, since most scientific findings come from animal studies, we examined its potential effectiveness in humans to raise immune functions, using small amounts of Gagome to avoid overconsumption of iodide. Methods: We set up a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (n=30 subjects for Gagome consumption; n=30 for placebo), in which 0.8 gram/day of Gagome containing 200 mg as dietary fiber (ca. 80 mg as fucoidan) was ingested for 8 weeks. The primary end-point was natural killer (NK) cell activity while other immune-related biomarkers, such as immunoglobulins (IgM and IgA) and cytokines (IL-12 and IFN-g) were secondary end-points. Results: No adverse effects were observed during the course of the clinical trial. We found that 8-week daily Gagome intake raised NK cell activities for the group with a relatively higher baseline number of NK cells (p=0.03). We also demonstrated that Gagome intake exerted a tendency to stimulate IgA secretion. These results indicate the possibility that Gagome intake may potentiate host defense systems in human as seen in animal studies. Conclusion: In this study, we used small amounts of Gagome (0.8 g daily) as an active test sample to avoid overconsumption of iodide, and found that this amount could enhance NK cell activities, particularly in the subclass with initially higher NK cell numbers. We also found an appreciable increment of IgA. With all of these facts, it seems that Gagome intake activates immune responses that contribute to the promotion of health through stimulation of the immune system.
Authors and Affiliations
Jun Nishihira, Mie Nishimura, Miwako Sugawara, Masafumi Kudo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP436154
- DOI 10.31989/ffhd.v7i10.390
- Views 123
- Downloads 0
Impact of packaging material and storage condition on retention of provitamin A carotenoids and xanthophylls in yellow-seeded maize flour
Background: Pro-vitamin A carotenoid (pVAC) rich foods are those foods that contain substance which can be converted within the human body into retinol. These foods also contribute to the reduction of vitamin A deficienc...
Reduction of blood pressure by aronia berries through inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the spontaneously hypertensive rat kidney
Background: Aronia berries contain many important effects on potential health, with previous studies suggesting that aronia juice is useful for the treatment of hypertension. Objective: To examine whether aronia berries...
Effects of Grape Wine and Apple Cider Vinegar on Oxidative and Antioxidative Status in High Cholesterol-Fed Rats
Background: Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance between the rates of free radical production and elimination via endogenous antioxidant mechanisms such as antioxidant enzymes; glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px),...
Evaluation of functional potentiality of selected commonly consumed foods of Bangladesh
Background: Rising tide of chronic nutrition related non-communicable diseases yoked with extant under nutrition problems makes it imperative to carry out scientific research for finding functional foods. Although the em...
High light bio-fortification stimulates de novo synthesis of resveratrol in Diplotaxis tenuifolia (wild rocket) micro-greens
Background: Brassica vegetables and leafy greens are consumed globally due to their health promoting phytochemicals. Diplotaxis tenuifolia (wild rocket or arugula) is a popular Brassica leafy green, with a diverse range...