Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) Supplementation, Cellular Immune Response, and Respiratory Tract Infections in Athletes

Authors:
Katarina Bergendiova, Elena Tibenska, Juraj Majtan

Journal:
European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2011
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-1837-z

Study Design

3-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial followed by a 3-month observational period.

Participants

50 healthy elite athletes (26 men, 24 women) from various sports, randomly assigned to either the pleuran or placebo group.

Intervention

Daily supplementation for 3 months with two capsules of Imunoglukan® (200 mg pleuran + 200 mg vitamin C) or placebo (vitamin C only). Immune markers and respiratory infection symptoms were assessed before, after, and 3 months post-treatment.

Outcome Measures

• Incidence and frequency of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms
• Phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes
• Natural killer (NK) cell count

Summary

This placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed whether pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) could reduce respiratory infections and support immune function in elite athletes. After 3 months, the pleuran group had significantly fewer URTI symptoms (only 12% had 4+ symptoms vs. 84% in placebo). The total URTI episodes were also lower (65 vs. 117). NK cell counts increased significantly in the pleuran group but not in placebo, and phagocytic activity remained stable in the pleuran group while declining in the placebo group. These findings suggest pleuran may protect athletes from exercise-induced immune suppression and reduce infection risk.