Background
Hemicellulose containing nutritional supplements demonstrate benefits to the immune system in vitro and in vivo. Here we show that Natramune (PDS-2865) stimulates phagocytosis, nitric oxide production and boosts viability in J774A.1 murine machrophages. We also show that dietary supplementation with Natramune (PDS-2865) significantly increases the levels of circulating lymphocytes in human subjects.
Material and Method
In order to measure the beneficial effects of Natramune (PDS-2865) on cells of the immune system, phagocytosis was measured by J774A.1 uptake of fluorescently labeled E. Coli bioparticles, nitric oxide production was measured by the formation of nitrite, and cell proliferation and viability was measured by NADH reduction of WST-8. The effect of Natramune (PDS-2865) on human circulating leukocyte levels was measured in 18 volunteers after an 8 week regimen of two 250 mg doses daily after which blood was collected and blood cell number and types were counted.
Results
Natramune (PDS-2865) stimulated phagocytosis, nitric oxide production and promoted proliferation/viability in J774A.1 cells by 65%, 517%, and 155% respectively. Further, Natramune (PDS-2865) did boost human circulating total lymphocyte levels (18%) in a statistically significant manner and while all lymphocyte subtype levels also increased, the individual subtype increases were not statistically significant.
Conclusions
Dietary supplementation with Natramune (PDS-2865) enhances immune system function and vitality.

Keywords: Polysaccharides - pharmacology, Phagocytosis - drug effects, Nitric Oxide - biosynthesis, Macrophages - immunology, Lymphocytes - immunology, Immune System - drug effects, Cell Survival - drug effects, Cell Proliferation - drug effects, Cell Movement - drug effects, Cell Count, Adolescent