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Proves significance of AHCC for maintaining a healthy immune system

PURCHASE, N.Y., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- A recently published study in Nutrition and Cancer (60(5), 643-651) by researchers at Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan has shown that AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) enhances immune function by increasing the number of dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are a key part of the immune system responsible for presenting foreign substances to other immune system cells.

The study was conducted in a double-blind randomized fashion where twenty-one healthy subjects received a placebo or AHCC at 3.0 g/day for 4 weeks. Blood samples were obtained and measured at baseline and at 4 weeks. The number of circulating types of DCs was measured which included CD 11c+ DCs (myeloid DC population; DC1) and CD11c- DCs (lymphoid DC population; DC2). Other parameters measured included mixed-leukocyte reaction (MLR), natural killer (NK) cell activity, the proliferative response of T lymphocytes toward mitogen (phytohemagglutinin [PHA]) and cytokine production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, interferon gamma-gamma, and (alpha)-tumor necrosis factor.

Results demonstrated that the AHCC group (n=10) after intake had a significantly higher number of total DCs compared to baseline and also that of the control (n=11). The number of DC1s in the AHCC group after intake was significantly higher than at baseline. Additionally, the number of DC2s in the AHCC group after intake was significantly increased in comparison with controls. The mixed-leukocyte reaction (MLR) was also significantly increased in comparison with controls. For PHA, NK cell activity and cytokine production no significant differences were found between groups.

"This study shows that AHCC increases production of DCs that are critical for maintaining a healthy and balanced immune system. It also provides insights in understanding
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