Adjuvant Effect of Orally Applied Preparations Containing Non-Digestible Polysaccharides on Influenza Vaccination in Healthy Seniors: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Controlled Pilot Trial.

Christiane Laue,Yala Stevens,Ruwen Böhm,Monique Van Erp,Sophie Le Gall,Edlyn Soeth,Xavier Falourd,Sam Possemiers,Catherine Stanton,Angelika Pannenbeckers,Iris Pinheiro,Jurriaan J Mes,Jerry M Wells,Sylvie Van Der Werf,R Paul Ross,Paul M Ryan,Simon Ballance,Ekaterina Papazova,Svein Halvor Knutsen ,Ellen H Stolte ,J Schrezenmeir

doi:10.3390/nu13082683

Abstract

Senior individuals can suffer from immunosenescence and novel strategies to bolster the immune response could contribute to healthy ageing. In this double-blind, randomised, controlled pilot trial, we investigated the ability of non-digestible polysaccharide (NPS) preparations to enhance the immune response in a human vaccination model. In total, 239 subjects (aged 50–79 years) were randomised to consume one of five different NPS (yeast β-glucan (YBG), shiitake β-glucan (SBG), oat β-glucan (OBG), arabinoxylan (AX), bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS)) or control (CTRL) product daily for five weeks. After two weeks of intervention, subjects were vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccine. The post-vaccination increases in haemagglutination inhibition antibody titres and seroprotection rate against the influenza strains were non-significantly enhanced in the NPS intervention groups compared to CTRL. Specifically, a trend towards a higher mean log2 fold increase was observed in the AX group (uncorrected p = 0.074) combined with a trend for an increased seroprotection rate, AX group (48.7%) compared to CTRL (25.6%) (uncorrected p = 0.057), for the influenza A H1N1 strain. Subjects consuming AX also had a reduced incidence of common colds compared to CTRL (1 vs. 8; p = 0.029 in Fisher exact test). No adverse effects of NPS consumption were reported. The findings of this pilot study warrant further research to study AX as an oral adjuvant to support vaccine efficacy.

Highlights

The process of ageing is associated with a deterioration in the function of the immune system, referred to as immunosenescence [1]
The increase in seroprotection rate and seroconversion rate during the intervention period were lower in the SBG group (30.8% and 39.5%) compared to CTRL (61.5% and 61.5%) for this influenza strain (Table 5)
A H1N1 strain in response to vaccination in subjects consuming AX compared to CTRL

Summary

Introduction

The process of ageing is associated with a deterioration in the function of the immune system, referred to as immunosenescence [1]. Vaccination is considered the most effective measure to prevent or reduce the severity of infections and their associated complications [2], the response to vaccination in the elderly has been found to be considerably weaker than in younger adults, due to immunosenescence [3]. To assess the immunomodulatory effects of foods or food components, a human vaccination model is considered highly suitable [5]. In this model, stimulation of the immune response to a standard vaccination (e.g., seasonal influenza vaccination), which can be measured by increased vaccine-specific serum antibodies, indicates immunostimulatory effects and enhancement of immune defences.

Methods

Results

Conclusion