2018 – Biobran

The Effect of a Hydrolyzed Polysaccharide Dietary Supplement on Biomarkers in Adults with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

admin — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:30:00 +0000

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a hydrolyzed polysaccharide, Rice Bran Arabinoxylan Compound (RBAC), on biomarkers in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A 90-day randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial examined the effect of RBAC on complete blood count, liver enzymes, lipids, oxidative stress markers, cytokines, and growth factors. Twenty-three adults with NAFLD were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two study conditions (n = 12 RBAC and n = 11 placebo) and consumed 1 gram/day of either compound for 90 days. Subjects were assessed at baseline and 45 and 90 days. No adverse effects were reported. Alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased (−3.1%; SD = 19.9; F[1, 19] = 5.1, p = 0.03) in the RBAC group compared to placebo. Percent monocytes (17.9%; SD = 18.3; F[1, 19] = 5.9, p = 0.02) and percent eosinophils (30.6%; SD = 30.5; F[1, 19] = 12.3, p < 0.01) increased in the RBAC group. IFN-γ (156%; SD = 131.8; F[1, 19] = 4.2, p = 0.06) and IL-18 (29.1%; SD = 64; F[1, 19] = 5.3, p = 0.03) increased in the RBAC group compared to placebo. Other improvements were noted for platelets, neutrophils, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, γ-glutamyl transferase, and 4-hydroxynonenal. RBAC had beneficial effects on several biomarkers that add to the known immunomodulatory activities of RBAC, which may be promising for people with NAFLD.

New Perspectives to Improve the MHC-I Unrestricted Immune Mechanisms against Malignant Tumors

admin — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:28:00 +0000

Since malignant tumors parallel with their progression can lose their sensitivity against the MHC-I restricted T lymphocytes because of their escape in tumor antigen presenting, we need immunomodulators which are able to activate MHC-I unrestricted tumoricidal mechanisms of innate immune system. In contrast to the adaptive system, the innate immune cells have regularly a basic activity (priming) which can determine their function ability and render possible a polarity similar to neuroendocrine system. Namely, innate immune cells are committed in two directions. Type-1 cells involve tumoricidal cascade mechanisms which activate the MHC-I unrestricted killer cells (such as NK-cells) and Type-2 cells activate cell proliferation by production of Growth Factors (GFs), affect chronic inflammation, stimulate the angiogenesis and inhibit the type-1 system. As shown in this paper the activity of type 1 cells is down regulated parallel with the tumor progression and available information suggest a regular tumor-induced dominance of type-2 cells. Immunomodulators must improve this disturbed balance. Type-1 natural cells can be activated only via stimulation of phagocytic cells by PAMP like structures which have always a natural origin and the chemistry is not able to produce them. In the tumoricidal activity of MHC-I unrestricted killer cells the expression of NKG2D receptors and the expression of their stress related ligands (MICA/B, UBPL1-3) have pivotal regulatory role generating the kill signal. The aim of this review paper to support hypotheses as to whether an increase in expression of KAR on MHC-I unrestricted killer cells by evidence based plant immunomodulators and parallel stimulating the expression of stress related ligands on tumor cells by GFR inhibitors or cytostatic drugs (such as Gemcitabin) can result in clinical benefits. Case reports using standardized Rice Bran Arabinoxylan Concentrate (Biobran/MGN-3) in combination with GFR inhibitors or Gemcitabin show astonishing clinical responses. Unfortunately, in spite of clinical and immunological evidences this plant immunomodulator is registered only as food supplements and a further research of these hypotheses is therefore hindered.

The Novel Effects of a Hydrolyzed Polysaccharide Dietary Supplement on Immune, Hepatic, and Renal Function in Adults with HIV in a Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Control Trial

admin — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:27:00 +0000

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of a hydrolyzed polysaccharide, rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC), on immune, hepatic, and renal function in HIV þ individuals. A six-month randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was utilized to conduct the intervention. Forty-seven HIV þ participants on stable antiretroviral therapy were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two study conditions (n 1⁄4 22 RBAC and n 1⁄4 25 placebo) and consumed 3 gram/day of either compound for six months. Participants were assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months follow-up for CD4þ and CD8þ, liver enzymes, and kidney function. No side effects were reported, and liver and kidney markers nearly remained completely within normal limits. The percentage change in CD4þ was similar for the placebo (þ2.2%) and RBAC (þ3.1%) groups at 6 months follow-up. The percentage change in CD8þ count significantly decreased from baseline to 6 months in the RBAC group(-5.2%), whereas it increased in the placebo group (þ57.8%; p 1⁄4 0.04). The CD4þ/CD8þ ratio improved clinically in the RBAC group from 0.95 (SD 1⁄40.62) at baseline to 1.07 (SD 1⁄40.11) at 6 months, whereas it declined in the placebo group from 0.96 (SD 1⁄40.80) at baseline to 0.72 (SD 1⁄40.59) at 6 months. Our results showed a statistically significant decrease in CD8þ count and a clinically significant increase in CD4þ/CD8þ ratio for the RBAC group compared to the placebo group. Thus, the results of this study suggest that the immunomodulatory and antisenescent activities of RBAC are promising for the HIV population.