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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Maitake mushroom supplementation modulates upper respiratory symptoms and immune responses in healthy adults: a
Yuki Masuda1, Yoshiaki Nakayama1, Ryohei Shimizu1,2
1Laboratory of Microbial Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyamakita-machi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-8558, Japan. mkonishi@kobepharma-u.ac.jp.
Abstract:
Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common viral illnesses whose burden increases with age-related declines in innate immunity. Maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) have immunomodulatory properties, but evidence in healthy humans, particularly regarding age-related innate immune responses, remains limited. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, healthy young adults (18-20 years) and middle-aged/older adults (40-85 years) consumed bread containing one of two maitake strains (Y10M or C5304) or a placebo daily for 11 weeks (young adults) or 18 weeks (middle-aged/older adults). While the overall incidence of URTI episodes did not differ between groups, symptom-specific analyses suggested strain-dependent differences. Y10M supplementation was associated with fewer cumulative days of fever and runny nose in both age groups and with sore throat in young adults, whereas C5304 showed limited effects. Notably, Y10M was associated with changes in innate immune parameters in middle-aged/older adults, including increased plasmacytoid dendritic cell frequency, activation of conventional dendritic cells, and upregulation of type I interferon-related gene expression and IL12A following ex vivo stimulation. These findings suggest that dietary maitake supplementation, particularly with the Y10M strain, may reduce the cumulative burden of selected URTI-related symptoms and modulate antiviral innate immune responses in healthy adults, with effects that may differ by strain and age cohort.
Insights
Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) Y10M strain may reduce upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms like fever and runny nose. It also modulated innate immune responses in older adults, suggesting potential benefits for immune health.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Mycology
- Public Health
Background:
- Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common, with burden increasing due to age-related immune decline.
- Maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) possess immunomodulatory properties, but human data, especially concerning age-related immunity, is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of maitake mushroom supplementation on URTI symptoms and innate immune responses in healthy young and older adults.
- To compare the efficacy of two maitake strains (Y10M and C5304) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Main Methods:
- Healthy young (18-20 years) and middle-aged/older adults (40-85 years) consumed bread with maitake strains (Y10M or C5304) or placebo for 11-18 weeks.
- URTI incidence, symptom duration, and ex vivo innate immune parameters were assessed.
Main Results:
- Overall URTI incidence did not differ, but Y10M strain reduced cumulative days of fever and runny nose in both age groups, and sore throat in young adults.
- Maitake Y10M modulated innate immunity in middle-aged/older adults, increasing plasmacytoid dendritic cell frequency and conventional dendritic cell activation.
- Y10M supplementation upregulated type I interferon-related gene expression and IL12A in older adults.
Conclusions:
- Dietary maitake supplementation, particularly the Y10M strain, may alleviate specific URTI symptoms in healthy adults.
- The Y10M strain shows potential for modulating antiviral innate immune responses, especially in older adults.
- Strain-specific effects and age-related differences in response to maitake supplementation warrant further investigation.
