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 virusdependent suppression of defense reactions and that addition of sulforaphane to glucan can improve already established biological effects of glucan.

Potential of Sulforaphane as a Natural Immune System Enhancer: A Review

“…Some phytochemicals have shown to enhance immunological response against influenza, such as glucans [ 47 ] and sulforaphane [ 48 ], the latter associated to Nrf2 expression that blocks influenza A entry and replication in human nasal epithelial cells. Vaclav and Jana [ 49 ] investigated the effect of a glucan–SFN combination on influenza in a mouse model. They evaluated immunological response by assessing some immune reactions, virus concentration, and animal survival.…”

Targeting TLR4 Signaling to Blunt Viral-Mediated Acute Lung Injury

“…However, this treatment did not decrease lung cytokine levels, but rather, increased in IFN- γ , IL-1β, and TNF-α compared to the control group ( 76 ). Importantly, the prophylactic treatment of mice with glucan-SFN also reduced viral titers in the lung ( 76 ), but this is possibly due to SFN acting on Nrf2 and blocking viral entry into and replication in epithelial cells ( 77 , 78 ). To our knowledge, SFN has not been tested therapeutically.…”

“…Several studies have examined the effects of SFN on influenza infection. In combination with β-glucan, also shown to attenuate TLR4-mediated cytokine production ( 75 ), SFN administered as an oral prophylactic supplement two weeks prior to influenza H5N1 challenge of mice, resulted in significant survival ( 76 ). However, this treatment did not decrease lung cytokine levels, but rather, increased in IFN- γ , IL-1β, and TNF-α compared to the control group ( 76 ).…”

“…In combination with β-glucan, also shown to attenuate TLR4-mediated cytokine production ( 75 ), SFN administered as an oral prophylactic supplement two weeks prior to influenza H5N1 challenge of mice, resulted in significant survival ( 76 ). However, this treatment did not decrease lung cytokine levels, but rather, increased in IFN- γ , IL-1β, and TNF-α compared to the control group ( 76 ). Importantly, the prophylactic treatment of mice with glucan-SFN also reduced viral titers in the lung ( 76 ), but this is possibly due to SFN acting on Nrf2 and blocking viral entry into and replication in epithelial cells ( 77 , 78 ).…”

“…TLR4 antagonism by other non-TLR4 specific, more complex molecules such as naturally occurring anti-inflammatory compounds suggest that other mechanisms contribute to protection during influenza infection. NAC, Kaempferol, and SFN were all administered prophylactically, but at various times prior to infection ( 45 , 54 , 76 ). As stated earlier, one might postulate that the protective effects observed may reflect differences in the relative abilities of these compounds to be antiviral vs. host signaling modulators.…”