PHILADELPHIA, March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study by researchers at Drexel University has demonstrated that AHCC, the ingredient in the supplement ImmPower(TM), helps boost immune response to influenza infection. The scientists will present their findings at the 15th annual Experimental Biology conference in San Francisco next month.
The Drexel study is the first of its kind to probe the effects of AHCC on influenza infection, which strikes 100,000 people a year in this country, resulting in 36,000 deaths. In a time of increased public concern about new strains of influenza, the results of the study are promising for ImmPower-AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound), a fermented extract of a hybrid of mushrooms used in traditional Japanese medicine. AHCC is distinguished from other mushroom supplements by its low molecular weight alpha-glucan structure.
“Our study demonstrated that AHCC clearly boosted the immune response to influenza,” said Dr. Elizabeth Gardner, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, who led the research team. “Supplemented animals had increased Natural Killer cell (NK) activity, a less severe infection, and a quicker recovery.”
NK cells are the immune system’s first line of defense against viruses, confronting infection before it can spread. NK cell response is critical in controlling virus burden early in infection to prevent mortality until an antigen-specific T-Cell response can be achieved.
Dr. Gardner and her associates are among 12,000 biological and biomedical scientists gathering at the Moscone Center in San Francisco April 1-5 for Experimental Biology 2006, “Advancing the Biomedical Frontier.” This conference brings together scientists from around the globe, in dozens of disciplines, from laboratory to translational, to clinical research, who present the latest scientific concepts and research findings that shape clinical advances.
The Drexel team -- Dr. Gardner, Barry W. Ritz and Shoko Nogusa -- will display their findings in a poster presentation, Room B86, Moscone Center, Monday, April 3, from 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
American BioSciences, a Blauvelt, NY-based company that’s the largest distributor of ImmPower-AHCC in the U.S., collaborated with the Drexel team on developing protocols for the research. Research available at www.americanbiosciences.com
American BioSciences
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