Dietary Supplementation with Rice Bran Fermented with Lentinus edodes Increases Interferon-γ Activity without Causing Adverse Effects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study

Authors: Ji-young Choi, Doo-Jin Paik, Dae Young Kwon, and Yongsoon Park

Journal: Nutrition Journal

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study

Participants: 80 healthy adults (40 in each group)

Intervention:

• RBEP group: 3 g of rice bran fermented with Lentinus edodes (RBEP) daily for 8 weeks
• Placebo group: 3 g of placebo daily for 8 weeks

Outcome Measures:

• Natural killer (NK) cell activity
• Serum cytokine concentrations (interferon-γ [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12)
• Safety assessments (hematological parameters, blood chemistry values, urinalysis, vital signs)

Summary: The study investigated the effects of RBEP supplementation on NK cell activity and cytokine production in healthy adults. The results showed that RBEP significantly increased IFN-γ levels but did not affect NK cell activity or other cytokine levels. No significant adverse effects were reported. The study concluded that RBEP supplementation may be beneficial for enhancing immune function in healthy individuals without causing significant side effects.