Article

Effects of an Immunomodulating Supplement on Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms in Wildland Firefighters: 2001

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... BYBG has been reported to have the capacity to alter a variety of cellular functions, including but not limited to: priming granulocytes for quicker activation, increasing salivary immunoglobulin (Ig)A, improving circulating monocyte count and altering the balance of T helper (Th1/Th2) cytokines (Goodridge et al., 2011;Pharmacopiea, 2011;Qi et al., 2011;Williams et al., 2016;Zheng et al., 2016). Previous research from our laboratory and others into the effects of BYBG on the human immune system following exercise has focused on changes to the cellular immune response and symptoms of cold/flu illness in physically fit individuals under physical stress (such as exercise) (Harger-Domitrovich et al., 2008;Talbott and Talbott, 2009;Carpenter et al., 2013;McFarlin et al., 2013). Indeed, a majority of the published literature has focused on this population. ...
... Subjects were asked to consume their supplements with food and immediately report any adverse reactions. Subjects did not report any adverse reactions with either placebo or BYBG supplementation in this study, consistent with previous reports from our lab and others (Harger-Domitrovich et al., 2008;Talbott and Talbott, 2009;Auinger et al., 2013;Carpenter et al., 2013;McFarlin et al., 2013). ...
... Our observed increase in monocyte TLR4 expression supports the hypothesis that monocytes have been "primed" by BYBG to respond more effectively to bacterial challenge. Enhanced monocyte response capacity may partially explain previously reported improvements in upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) outcomes in marathon runners (Talbott and Talbott, 2009;McFarlin et al., 2013) and wilderness firefighters (Harger-Domitrovich et al., 2008). ...
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Exercise and physical labor in extreme environmental conditions causes transient decreases in immune cell and cytokine concentrations, likely increasing the susceptibility to opportunistic infection. Baker's yeast beta glucan (BYBG) has been previously demonstrated to be an effective countermeasure in athletes, but its effectiveness in individuals of average fitness under similar physical stress is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if 10 days of oral supplementation with BYBG could modify previously observed suppression of monocytes, T cells, circulating and whole blood LPS-stimulated cytokines due to strenuous exercise. Venous blood samples were collected from 109 healthy volunteers prior to, immediately after, 2 and 4 h post-exercise. Monocyte and T cell concentration, cell-surface receptor expression and serum and LPS-stimulated cytokines were assessed. BYBG significantly (P < 0.05) altered total and classic monocyte concentration and expression of CD38, CD80, CD86, TLR2, and TLR4 on monocyte subsets. BYBG also significantly increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell concentration and the exercise response of CCR7+/CD45RA- central memory (TCM) cells. Likewise, BYBG significantly (P < 0.05) altered serum IFN-γ and IL-2, and LPS-stimulated IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-7. Taken together these data support the hypothesis that oral BYBG supplementation modulates the expected exercise response for individuals of average fitness. This may result in a decrease in susceptibility to opportunistic infections after strenuous exercise.
... Of the many dietary interventions evaluated for potential to enhance/modulate the immune response following exercise, beta glucans (BGs) have been repeated targets (Goodridge et al., 2011;Harger-Domitrovich, Domitrovich, & Ruby, 2008;Hong et al., 2004;US Pharmacopiea, 2011;Qi et al., 2011;Talbott & Talbott, 2009). The term BG includes carbohydrates with many different linkage patterns (Qi et al., 2011), leading to great variation in outcomes with regard to the efficacy of BG to modulate immunity. ...
... Beta 1,3/1,6 glucans bind with specific immune receptors including Dectin 1 and complement receptor 3 (CR3) (Goodridge et al., 2011;Hong et al., 2004). In the body, BG is phagocytized by macrophages and broken down into smaller fragments, which are released over several days (Harger-Domitrovich et al., 2008;Qi et al., 2011;Talbott & Talbott, 2009). These fragments interact with and modulate the functional capacity of many innate immune cells (i.e., granulocytes and macrophages), the complement system, and antibody-mediated immunity (Harger-Domitrovich et al., 2008;Qi et al., 2011;Talbott & Talbott, 2009). ...
... In the body, BG is phagocytized by macrophages and broken down into smaller fragments, which are released over several days (Harger-Domitrovich et al., 2008;Qi et al., 2011;Talbott & Talbott, 2009). These fragments interact with and modulate the functional capacity of many innate immune cells (i.e., granulocytes and macrophages), the complement system, and antibody-mediated immunity (Harger-Domitrovich et al., 2008;Qi et al., 2011;Talbott & Talbott, 2009). The latter is the target of the present investigation since salivary IgA plays a role in the defense of the mucosal space. ...
Article
ABSTRACT Strenuous exercise, such as running a marathon, is known to suppress mucosal immunity for up to 24 hr, which can increase the risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and reduced performance capacity (Allgrove JE, Geneen L, Latif S, Gleeson M. Influence of a fed or fasted state on the s-IgA response to prolonged cycling in active men and women. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2009;19(3):209-221; Barrett B, Locken K, Maberry R, Schwamman J, Brown R, Bobula J, Stauffacher EA. The Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS): a new research instrument for assessing the common cold. J Fam Pract. 2002;51(3):265; Carpenter KC, Breslin WL, Davidson T, Adams A, McFarlin BK. Baker's yeast beta glucan supplementation increases monocytes and cytokines post-exercise: implications for infection risk? Br J Nutr. 2012;1-9). While many dietary interventions have been used to combat postexercise immune suppression, most have been ineffective. The key purpose of this study was to determine if baker's yeast β-glucan (BG) could positively affect the immune system of individuals undergoing intense exercise stress using two experiments. In the first (E1; N = 182 men and women), BG was compared to placebo supplementation for the incidence of URTI symptoms for 28 days postmarathon. In the second (E2; N = 60 men and women) changes in salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) were evaluated after 50-min of strenuous cycling when participants had been supplemented for 10 days with either BG (250 mg/day) or placebo (rice flour). For E1, subjects reported URTI symptoms using a daily health log. For E2, saliva was collected prior to, immediately, and 2-hr postexercise using a salivette. Data for E1 and E2 were analyzed using separate analyses of variance (ANOVAs) with repeated measures (p < .05). In E1, BG was associated with a 37% reduction in the number of cold/flu symptom days postmarathon compared to placebo (p = .026). In E2, BG was associated with a 32% increase in salivary IgA (p = .048) at 2 hr after exercise compared to placebo. In summary, the present study demonstrates that BG may reduce URTI symptomatic days and improve mucosal immunity (salivary IgA) postexercise.
... These stressors provide an opportunity to verify immune support benefits of interventions in healthy individuals. Previous studies have recruited populations such as healthcare providers or firefighters [15,16]. Additionally, active individuals participating in endurance training at higher levels of intensity and duration experience higher rates of cold-and flu-like symptoms than the general population [17]. ...
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Euglena gracilis produce high amounts of algal β-1,3-glucan, which evoke an immune response when consumed. This study investigated the effect of supplementation with a proprietary Euglena gracilis fermentate (BG), containing greater than 50% β-1,3-glucan, on immune function as measured by self-reported changes in upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. Thirty-four healthy, endurance-trained participants were randomized and received either 367 mg of BG or placebo (PLA) for 90 days. Symptoms were assessed by the 24-item Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey and safety via clinical chemistry, hematology, vitals, and adverse event reporting. Participants supplemented with BG over 90 days reported fewer sick days (BG: 1.46 ± 1.01; PLA: 4.79 ± 1.47 days; p = 0.041), fewer URTI symptoms (BG: 12.62 ± 5.92; PLA: 42.29 ± 13.17; p = 0.029), fewer symptom days (BG: 5.46 ± 1.89; PLA: 15.43 ± 4.59 days; p = 0.019), fewer episodes (BG: 2.62 ± 0.67; PLA: 4.79 ± 0.67; p = 0.032), and lower global severity measured as area under curve for URTI symptoms (BG: 17.50 ± 8.41; PLA: 89.79 ± 38.92; p = 0.0499) per person compared to placebo. Sick days, symptoms, and global severity were significantly (p < 0.05) fewer over 30 days in the BG group compared to PLA. All safety outcomes were within clinically normal ranges. The study provides evidence that supplementation with a proprietary Euglena gracilis fermentate containing greater than 50% β-1,3-glucan may reduce and prevent URTI symptoms, providing immune support and protecting overall health.
... Previous studies using baker's yeast BG have reported that supplementation after running a marathon reduces the number of symptomatic upper respiratory tract infection days compared with a placebo (PL) over a 4-week period (16) . Similar reductions in upper respiratory tract infection symptoms have been noted in forest firefighters who were supplementing their diet with BG (17) . The purpose of the present study was to determine whether 10 d of supplementation with a particulate form of baker's yeast BG (Wellmune WGP) improved the innate immune system response to a strenuous bout of exercise in a hot, humid environment. ...
Article
Strenuous aerobic exercise is known to weaken the immune system, and while many nutritional supplements have been proposed to boost post-exercise immunity, few are known to be effective. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether 10 d of supplementation with a defined source of baker's yeast β-glucan (BG, Wellmune WGP®) could minimise post-exercise immunosuppression. Recreationally active men and women (n 60) completed two 10 d trial conditions using a cross-over design with a 7 d washout period: placebo (rice flour) and baker's yeast BG (250 mg/d of β-1,3/1,6-glucans derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) before a bout of cycling (49 ± 6 min) in a hot (38 ± 2°C), humid (45 ± 2 % relative humidity) environment. Blood was collected at baseline (before supplement), pre- (PRE), post- (POST) and 2 h (2H) post-exercise. Total and subset monocyte concentration was measured by four-colour flow cytometry. Plasma cytokine levels and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine production were measured using separate multiplex assays. Total (CD14+) and pro-inflammatory monocyte concentrations (CD14+/CD16+) were significantly greater at POST and 2H (P < 0·05) with BG supplementation. BG supplementation boosted LPS-stimulated production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) at PRE and POST (P < 0·05). Plasma IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ concentrations were greater at 2H following BG supplementation. It appears that 10 d of supplementation with BG increased the potential of blood leucocytes for the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ. The key findings of the present study demonstrate that BG may have potential to alter immunity following a strenuous exercise session.
Chapter
ABSTRACT A number of pre-clinical and clinical studies indicate that nutritional yeasts as well as Saccharomyces boulardii are important products for prophylactic and/or therapeutic purposes. Nutritional yeasts are a rich source of amino acids, single cell proteins, several bioavailable minerals (e.g. chromium, selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium, cooper, manganese), and B vitamins. The properties of these non-infectious yeasts may be of particular importance for human and animal health. Amongst them, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the best-known species used as a source of B vitamins and nutrients, especially chromium and selenium incorporated as organic compounds. Chromium is necessary for the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels, while selenium promotes a normal function of immune system. Another less-known species is Yarrowia lipolytica, which contributes to the production of a number of important nutritional elements, including bioavailable proteins, essential amino acids, minerals, organic acids, polyalcohols, carotenoids, aroma compounds, single cell oil, and microbial surfactants. Nutritional yeasts are beneficial for vegans, vegetarians, athletes, reconvalescents, as well as young people during the puberty period. Furthermore, some yeast species possess properties required for a microorganism to be considered as probiotic. One of them is S. boulardii, particularly recommended in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and recurrent Clostridium difficile intestinal infections. Keywords: nutritional yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces boulardii, Yarrowia lipolytica, probiotics
Article
In elite level athletes it is commonly believed that there is a link between high-intensity exercise and increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Physiological changes associated with exercise are well documented on various components of the immune system, including: changes in number of circulating immune cells and their responsiveness, changes in cytokines and chemokines, and changes in mucosal IgA levels. This chapter uses the example of long-distance running to review what is known about the link between intense exercise and URTI incidence, and changes in various immune system parameters after intense exercise. Finally, the ability of nutritional interventions to rebalance the immune system parameters affected by strenuous exercise are reviewed with an emphasis on the ability of yeast beta glucan to mitigate the negative impact of exercise on the immune system.
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