earticle

영어

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a major adhesive component of fermented soybeans. γ-PGA is an edible and biodegradable polymer with repeated-chain structure of glutamate, an amino acid. We analyzed in vitro and in vivo the immune response activity of high molecular weight γ-PGA from Bacillus subtilis (chungkookjang), γ-PGA was orally administered to C57BL/6 mice, and immune response activity was examined by monitoring of natural killer (NK) cell- mediated cytotoxicity and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion from splenocytes. The results revealed that the levels of NK-cell mediated cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion in mice treated with high molecular weight γ-PGA were higher than those treated with lower molecular weight γ-PGA. We also carried out a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for evaluating the effect of human immunity after 8-week administration of γ-PGA in healthy volunteers. The study resulted in a tendency to increase the NK-cell mediated cytotoxicity, and also the elevated expressions of CD8, CD56 were observed in γ-PGA administrated group. This clinical study is an important result in establishing the effect of γ-PGA on immune stimulating function. [This work was supported by the Leading Industry Development for Economic Region of the Chungcheong Leading Industry Office(CCLIO), Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology(KIAT) and Ministry of Knowledge Economy(MKE).