薬理と治療

Abstract

Objectives　To investigate the effects of acetic acid bacteria（Gluconacetobacter hansenii GK-1; GK-1）ingestion on plasmacytoid dendritic cell（pDC）activity and body condition. Methods　A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted on 98 healthy Japanese adults who were susceptible to cold-like illness. They were categorized into two groups: acetic acid bacteria group and placebo group. Participants ingested daily GK-1 compounded capsules（9×109 cells╱day）or placebo diet over a 12-week period. A diary-administered physical condition questionnaire survey was administered daily during the intervention period. Blood sampling was performed pre- and 12 weeks postintervention, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to measure pDC activity. Results　The results of the physical condition questionnaire revealed that the GK-1 group had significantly fewer cumulative days of symptom onset than the placebo group across eight items of the questionnaire, including feeling sick, runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, head discomfort, chest discomfort, and feeling tired. Moreover, when the overall subjective symptom assessments pooled across all 11 items of the physical condition questionnaire were compared every 3 weeks, the GK-1 group had significantly fewer cumulative onset days than the placebo group at weeks 1-3, 7-9, and 10-12. At 12 weeks, the GK-1 group had significantly higher levels of pDC activity markers, CD80 and CD40, than the placebo group. Conclusions　The findings of this study indicate that long-term ingestion of GK-1 may activate pDC and act to maintain immune function. （UMIN ID: UMIN000045838）（Jpn Pharmacol Ther 2022；50：2237‒48）