AHCC Increases the Percent of Natural Killer Cells Post Influenza Vaccination

Abstract

A decrease in immunity in aged populations causes an increase in influenza morbidity and mortality as well as decreased vaccine efficacy. Nutritional modulation has potential to increase efficacy of vaccination; Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is reported to increase immunity. We have previously shown an increase in natural killer (NK) cells with supplementation of AHCC in combination with influenza vaccination in both humans and mice. We assessed changes in lymphocytes as a measure of cell‐mediated or humoral immunity, and hypothesized supplementation with AHCC would increase NK cell percentages in response to vaccination. Subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to placebo or AHCC groups in a double‐blind study, all subjects were vaccinated one week post‐supplementation. Lymphocyte populations were analyzed using BD Bioscience TBNK reagent and TruCount tubes at baseline, day of vaccination, one week post‐vaccination, and four weeks post‐vaccination. In all groups consuming 3000mg of AHCC per day, NK cell percent increased from day of vaccination to four weeks post‐vaccination. While male, female, and young populations all showed an increase in NK cell percent between 9–10% compared to placebo counterparts, elderly taking AHCC showed the greatest increase in NK cells at 14%. These results suggest AHCC can increase vaccine efficacy in all populations, but especially in elderly populations.