Oral administration of Euglena gracilis Z and its carbohydrate storage substance provides survival protection against influenza virus infection in mice

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 494; no. 1-2; pp. 379 - 383
• Main Authors: Nakashima, Ayaka, Suzuki, Kengo, Asayama, Yuta, Konno, Makoto, Saito, Keita, Yamazaki, Noriyuki, Takimoto, Hiroaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 09-12-2017
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - administration & dosage; Administration, Oral; Animals; Dietary Supplements; Euglena gracilis - chemistry; Euglena gracilis - immunology; Euglena gracilis Z; Female; Glucans - administration & dosage; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - drug effects; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - growth & development; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - pathogenicity; Influenza virus; Interferon-gamma - biosynthesis; Interferon-gamma - immunology; Interferon-γ; Interleukin-10 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-10 - immunology; Interleukin-12; Interleukin-12 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-12 - immunology; Interleukin-1beta - biosynthesis; Interleukin-1beta - immunology; Interleukin-6 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-6 - immunology; Lung - drug effects; Lung - immunology; Lung - virology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - diet therapy; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - immunology; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - mortality; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - virology; Paramylon; Survival Analysis; β-1, 3-D-glucan; Euglena gracilis Z; Influenza virus; Interferon-γ; Paramylon; β-1, 3-D-glucan; Interleukin-12
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.09.167

Euglena gracilis Z is a micro-algae that is used as a food or nutritional supplement. Paramylon, the carbohydrate storage substance of Euglena gracilis Z has β-1, 3-glucan structure. Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon are reported to affect the immune system. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon against influenza virus infection in mice. Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon were administered to mice as a 2% dietary mixture ad libitum. At 2 weeks after initiation of dietary administration, mice were infected intranasally with influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). Survival rate was monitored 10 days after infection. In addition, we performed virus titer and cytokine profiles in the lung. High survival rates were observed for Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon-treated groups compared to the control group. Significantly lower virus titer in the lung was observed in the Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon-treated groups compared to the control group from day 1 after infection. Higher amount of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 (p70), IFN-γ, and IL-10 was observed in the paramylon groups compared to the control group. Our data therefore reveals a novel immunoregulatory role of the Euglena gracilis Z and paramylon which provides protection against influenza virus infection.
•Survival rate of the mice increased by Euglena gracilis Z or paramylon.•The virus titer in the lung was decreased by Euglena gracilis Z or paramylon.•Inflammatory cytokines were increased by Euglena gracilis Z or paramylon.