A new subclass of nutraceuticals, called immunoceuticals, is dedicated to immunological regulation. Although yeast-derived β-1,3/1,6-D-glucan shows promise as an immunoceutical candidate, further studies are needed to define its precise immune-enhancing processes and to standardize its use. Following methotrexate (MTX)-induced immunosuppression in rats, we evaluated the immunomodulatory efficacy of a highly pure and standardized β-1,3/1,6-D-glucan sample (YBG) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In in vitro and in vivo models, YBG demonstrated remarkable immunomodulatory effects, such as repair of immune organ damage, elevation of blood cytokine levels, and enhanced phagocytosis and nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells. These results are consistent with the established immunostimulatory properties of β-glucan. It is noteworthy that this research indicates the potential of YBG as an immunomodulatory nutraceutical, as it is among the first to demonstrate immunological augmentation in an immunosuppression setting produced by MTX. Based on these observations, further investigation of YBG is warranted, particularly given its potential to emerge as a combination immunoceutical to mitigate immunosuppression and reduce the risk of infection in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving long-term MTX therapy.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with limited treatment options. This study investigates the preventive effects of fermented Kamut wheat enzyme (FKW) diet on the progression of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, with a focus on gut microbiota modulation and inflammatory cytokine regulation. Female C57BL/6J mice were divided into groups and fed a diet consisting of either a FKW diet (containing 39.80% FKW) or a control diet under 1.25% and 2.50% DSS conditions. The FKW diet was formulated based on the AIN-93G standard rodent formula, with the FKW diet providing comparable amounts of total proteins, crude lipids, and dietary fibers as the control diet. The FKW diet effectively mitigated the progression of colitis, as evidenced by improvements in key indicators such as dietary intake, body weight, colon length, stool consistency, and bleeding, particularly in the 1.25% DSS group. Histopathological analysis revealed preservation of colonic architecture and reduced mucosal damage in the FKW group. The diet also resulted in a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, coupled with an increase in anti-inflammatory IL-10. Gut microbiota analysis showed increased abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 and Bacteroides acidifaciens and decreased pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia/Shigella and Bilophila. These findings underscore the potential of FKW as a preventive dietary intervention for mitigating the progression of colitis, emphasizing the role of gut microbiota in supporting intestinal health. These results highlight FKW’s potential to reduce the risk of colitis development, providing a foundation for future research into its preventive applications.

Excessive accumulation of body fat, particularly abdominal and visceral fat, is a major risk factor for metabolic abnormalities and chronic diseases. This

This randomized, double-blind, placebo comparative clinical trial aimed to determine the immune-enhancing effects and safety of a nanomaterial with iron and zinc (ALP1018) in healthy adults. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study (n = 80) and randomly assigned to either the test group (n = 40), which was given Alp1018 in capsule form, or the placebo group (n = 40), which was given crystal cellulose capsules of identical appearance, weight, and flavor for 8 weeks. Compared to baseline, natural killer (NK) cell activity (%) increased in the test group after 8 weeks, although there were no changes in the placebo group. Furthermore, in the subgroup analysis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected participants, significantly increased NK cell activity was observed in the test group at 4 (p < 0.05) and 8 weeks (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in cytokine levels between the two groups. ALP1018 supplementation appeared to enhance immune function by improving NK cell activity without adverse effects in healthy adults.

Biodegradable microneedle acupuncture (BMA) is a novel technique designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects associated with conventional acupuncture. Dry eye (DE) is a common condition that significantly affects quality of life. This clinical trial aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of BMA compared to sterile acupuncture (SA) in treating DE. A total of 224 participants with DE were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the BMA group (BMAG) or the SA group (SAG). Treatment was administered three times per week for four weeks at eight bilateral acupoints (GB14, TE23, EX-HN5, and ST1). The primary outcome was the proportion of participants experiencing at least one treatment-related adverse event (AE) during the 5-week treatment period. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), visual analog scale for subjective symptoms (VAS-SS), quality-of-life (QoL) scores, treatment satisfaction, and additional safety assessments. The proportion of participants experiencing treatment-related AEs was significantly lower in the BMAG than in the SAG (risk ratio, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.11–0.28; p < 0.0001). Greater improvements were observed in the BMAG for OSDI (mean difference −16.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], −19.32 to −13.15), VAS-SS (−19.33; 95% CI, −22.00 to −16.66), and QoL (0.96; 95% CI, 0.74–1.19). No skin allergy-related AEs occurred in the BMAG, whereas such events were observed in the SAG. BMA was associated with a lower risk of treatment-related AEs and greater clinical improvement compared with sterile acupuncture in patients with DE. These findings suggest that BMA may represent a safer and more effective therapeutic option for DE management. Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea (KCT0008802).