1. Effect of beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on antibody vaccine titers in horses.
Horses were fed a control feed produced or the same feed to which was added beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan. The feeds were manufactured by MidSouth Feeds in Alma, Georgia.
Prior to the start of the experiment, for each horse a blood cell count and the antibody titer for Rhinopneumonitis Virus (EHV-1) were obtained; the tests were done at the Tifton Diagnostic Laboratory, Tifton, GA. At the start of the trial, all horses in the study were vaccinated with a killed EHV-1. At two, four weeks, 2, 3 and 4 months after vaccination antibody titers were again measured.
|
Increase in Antibody Titer |
|||
|
Control (n = 14) |
beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan (n = 18) |
||
|
Initial* |
120 days |
Initial |
120 days |
|
1.0 |
2.15 |
1.0 |
3.06 |
It clearly evident (Table 3) that in those horses fed the feed containing beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan there is a significant increase in antibody titer that lasts for at least 4 months.
2. Effect on Foals of feeding beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan to mares on foals' health.
In a study done by Dr. Alison Kate Painter at Blue Spruce Farms, 17 pregnant mares were fed a feed containing beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan for 6 months. Blood was obtained from all foals and levels of IgG determined.
Table 2.
Effect of EquiGraze™ on Newborn Foals
|
Parameter |
Foals |
|
|
Historical Controls |
Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan Mares |
|
|
IgG |
400-700 ppm |
800- 950 ppm |
|
Neonatal Diarrhea (scours) |
17 |
0 |
|
Full heat scours |
10 |
1 |
|
Body condition score (1-6) |
4 |
5.5 |
* Body condition score: 1=poor. 6=excellent
From table 2 above it is evident that feeding pregnant mares with a feed containing beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan improves the immunity of the foals evidenced by the higher serum IgG levels and consequently improves their overall condition as well as resistance to infections as evidenced by lower neonatal diarrhea.
Dr. Painter has also fed the EquiFuel™ topdress to racing horses and has seen improvement in their health and performance.
The results (Table 3) show that beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan modulated the immune system in mice by modulating the level of cytokines. Of the four cytokines measured the levels of IL-3 and IL-4 do not change, however the level of IFN-y, a cytokine that is used clinically to treat hepatitis C, increases by 50% and the levels of TGF-ß decrease by 85%.
Table 3
The Effect of beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on
selected Cytokines in Mouse Blood.
|
Cytokine |
Control pg/ml |
Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan pg/ml |
Function |
|
IL-3 |
10.4 ± 0.09 |
9.3 ± 0.08 |
Differentiation and survival of lymphoid and myeloid cells |
|
IL-4 |
14.3 ± 3.2 |
14.3 ± 3.2 |
Proliferation; differentiation of Th2; promotes IgG and IgE production; |
|
IFN-γ |
27.5 ± 11.4 |
41.9 ± 13.2 |
Powerful antiviral produced by Th1 and NK cells. Promotes activation of antigen presenting cells and cell-mediated immunity. |
|
TGF-β |
1751 ± 396 |
291 ± 140.6 |
Treg cell maintenance; promotes Th17 cells |
The increased the levels of IFN-y indicates that the animals that were given beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan in the feed are better able to combat infections and especially viral infections. The decreased levels of TGF-ß suggest that beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan is involved in regulating the inflammatory response and may be beneficial in suppressing autoimmune reactions.
4. The effect of beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on NK cell activity in human volunteers.
In
the study in mice (see above) beta glucan modulates cytokine levels that are
necessary to combat infectious organisms and suppress autoimmune diseases; in
this study in human volunteers, beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan increased NK cell activity
by an average increase of 163%, (Table 4) indicating
activation of the innate immune system and its accompanying increased ability
to combat viral and bacterial infections as well as combat transformed cells.
Table 4
Effect of
oral insoluble ß-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on NK cell
activity
in normal human volunteers
|
Volunteer |
NK Cell activity |
% Change |
|
|
0 time |
12 weeks |
||
|
1 |
52 |
88 |
169 |
|
2 |
28 |
85 |
303 |
|
3 |
53 |
83 |
156 |
|
4 |
14 |
22 |
157 |
|
5 |
42 |
51 |
121 |
|
6 |
70 |
41 |
-58 |
|
Average |
259 |
370 |
163 |