Abstract
Glycogen has been reported to have immune-regulating activity. We examined in this study the immune-regulating activity of wheat starch of various molecular weights, because both starch and glycogen are made from glucose components linked by α-1,4 and α-1,6 glycoside bonds. Wheat starch was treated by sulfuric acid to prepare starch samples with differing molecular weight. The acid-treated starch inhibited cytokine production from murine splenocytes when the splenocytes were incubated with the antigen and a starch sample. The activity depended on the treatment time by sulfuric acid. Mice were then i.p. immunized with some antigens and the starch mixed with two types of adjuvant. The starch also inhibited the in vivo antibody production when administered with an alum adjuvant. In contrast, the starch enhanced the antibody response when administered with complete Fround adjuvant, indicating that the starch regulated immune responses depending on the molecular weight and surrounding circumstances.
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