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The Effects of Yeast β-Glucan Supplementation on Monocyte and Cytokine Response to Exercise

Presentation Abstract

Presented to the International Society of Exercise Immunology
July 11-13, 2011
St. Catherine’s College, University of Oxford
United Kingdom

KC Carpenter, WL Breslin, T Davidson, T Halliday, A Adams, & BK McFarlin

Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

Introduction: Strenuous exercise in hot, humid environments is known to suppress the immune system, which can increase the chances of getting sick in the hours after exercise. Supplementation with yeast β-glucan has been shown to reduce perceived sickness symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine if 10-d of supplementation with yeast β-glucan alters monocyte concentration, LPS-stimulated cytokine production, and plasma cytokine concentration in recreationally active subjects.

Methods: 60 recreationally active subjects (29 men, 31 women, 22±4 y) completed 49±6 min of cycling (37±2°C, 45±5% relative humidity) after consuming either yeast β-glucan (250 mg/d, Wellmune WGP) or a placebo (sugar pill) for 10-days prior to each exercise session. The investigators were blinded to the supplement conditions until all data was collected and analyzed. Venous blood was collected at baseline (prior to supplement), pre-, post-, and 2-hours (2H) post exercise.  Each subject completed both trial conditions in a random order, separated by a 7-day washout period.  Total and subset monocyte concentration was measured by flow cytometry (Guava EasyCyte 6HT-2L). LPS-stimulated production of 12 cytokines was measured using a whole blood assay. Plasma concentration of 13 cytokines was measured using a high-sensitivity Millipore Milliplex MagPix assay.

Results: Total monocyte (CD14+) concentration was significantly greater at 2H (P=0.05) with Wellmune WGP supplementation. Also, compared to placebo, Wellmune WGP supplementation boosted LPS-stimulated production IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma at PRE and POST (P<0.05).  Plasma concentration of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-10, and IFN-gamma were significantly greater at 2H in the Wellmune WGP compared to placebo. In the placebo condition we observed the traditional response to strenuous exercise (rise at POST and suppression at 2H).

Conclusions: It appears that 10-days of supplementation with Wellmune WGP primed blood leukocytes for the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma.  These cytokines were elevated prior to and immediately after exercise in LPS-stimulated cultures and subsequent elevation were observed at 2H with unstimulated plasma measures. In addition to cytokine changes, supplementation with Wellmune WGP appeared to blunt post-exercise reduction in blood monocyte concentration, which may have implication of immune-surveillance. The key findings of the present study demonstrate that Wellmune WGP may be a suitable countermeasure to protect and boost the immune system following stressful exercise. Such boost is likely to lower the duration of the “open window” response.

Acknowledgements: This study was funded by Biothera, The Immune Health Company

 

 

 

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