A Novel Glucan-Sulforaphane Combination Stimulates Immune Response to Influenza in Mouse Model

Abstract

Influenza remains a serious health problem and causes approximately 500,000 deaths world-wide. With current available treatments offering neither dependable protection nor a rapid cure, many have focused their attention to alternative treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of a novel maitake glucan-sulforaphane combination on immune response against influenza challenge in mice. We evaluated the effects of a glucan-sulforaphane combination on basic immune reactions, virus titre and overall survival after influenza infection. Results: We found 2 weeks supplementation with this glucan-sulforaphane combination significantly improved immunosuppression caused by the viral infection. Based on these results, we conclude that the significant immunostimulation caused by this combination helps to overcome virus-dependent suppression of defense reactions and that addition of sulforaphane to glucan can improve already established biological effects of glucan.