Effect of Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) Supplementation on Cellular Immune Response After Intensive Exercise in Elite Athletes

Authors:
Marián Bobovčák, Renata Kuniaková, Ján Gabriž, Juraj Majtán

Journal:
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2010
DOI: 10.1139/H10-070

Study Design

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study over 2 months

Participants

20 elite athletes from various winter sports disciplines in Slovakia. Subjects were randomized to receive pleuran (n = 9) or placebo (n = 11).

Intervention

Participants received one capsule daily for 2 months, either containing 100 mg of pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) plus 100 mg of vitamin C, or a placebo containing fructose and vitamin C. Blood samples were taken before and after supplementation, and immediately after and 1 hour following a 20-minute high-intensity exercise session.

Outcome Measures

• Total and differential blood cell counts
• Lymphocyte subpopulations (T cells, B cells, NK cells)
• Natural killer cell activity (NKCA)
• Lactate levels as an exercise stress marker
• Tolerability and adverse events

Summary

This trial examined whether pleuran supplementation could prevent immune suppression after high-intensity exercise in elite athletes. After 2 months of supplementation, the placebo group showed a 28% drop in NK cell activity (NKCA) during recovery, while no significant drop occurred in the pleuran group. Additionally, NK cell counts remained stable in the pleuran group but declined in the placebo group. Other immune markers showed similar exercise-induced patterns across both groups. These findings suggest that pleuran may help preserve NK cell function after intense training, potentially supporting immune resilience in athletes.