Consumption of cranberry polyphenols enhances human γδ-T cell proliferation and reduces the number of symptoms associated with colds and influenza: a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study

• Published in: Nutrition journal Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 161 - 738
• Main Authors: Nantz, Meri P, Rowe, Cheryl A, Muller, Catherine, Creasy, Rebecca, Colee, James, Khoo, Christina, Percival, Susan S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Springer-Verlag 13.12.2013; BioMed Central Ltd; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Adult; analysis; beverages; Beverages - analysis; blood serum; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; chemistry; common cold; Common Cold - epidemiology; Common Cold - immunology; Common Cold - physiopathology; Common Cold - prevention & control; cranberries; Cytokines; Cytokines - secretion; cytology; Double-Blind Method; epidemiology; epithelium; Female; Florida; Florida - epidemiology; Fruit; Fruit - chemistry; Functional Food; Functional Food - analysis; Humans; immunity; immunology; Immunomodulation; Incidence; influenza; Influenza, Human; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - immunology; Influenza, Human - physiopathology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - cytology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - pathology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - secretion; Male; metabolism; mononuclear leukocytes; Non-Nutritive Sweeteners; Non-Nutritive Sweeteners - analysis; pathology; physiopathology; phytochemicals; polyphenols; Polyphenols - analysis; Polyphenols - metabolism; Polyphenols - therapeutic use; prevention & control; Proanthocyanidins; Proanthocyanidins - analysis; Proanthocyanidins - metabolism; Proanthocyanidins - therapeutic use; secretion; Severity of Illness Index; therapeutic use; Vaccinium macrocarpon; Vaccinium macrocarpon - chemistry; Florida
• ISSN: 1475-2891; 1475-2891
• DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-161

BACKGROUND: Our main objective was to evaluate the ability of cranberry phytochemicals to modify immunity, specifically γδ-T cell proliferation, after daily consumption of a cranberry beverage, and its effect on health outcomes related to cold and influenza symptoms. METHODS: The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel intervention. Subjects drank a low calorie cranberry beverage (450 ml) made with a juice-derived, powdered cranberry fraction (n = 22) or a placebo beverage (n = 23), daily, for 10 wk. PBMC were cultured for six days with autologous serum and PHA-L stimulation. Cold and influenza symptoms were self-reported. RESULTS: The proliferation index of γδ-T cells in culture was almost five times higher after 10 wk of cranberry beverage consumption (p <0.001). In the cranberry beverage group, the incidence of illness was not reduced, however significantly fewer symptoms of illness were reported (p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of the cranberry beverage modified the ex vivo proliferation of γδ-T cells. As these cells are located in the epithelium and serve as a first line of defense, improving their function may be related to reducing the number of symptoms associated with a cold and flu. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01398150 .