Phagocytic cells, comprised of neutrophils and moncytyes/macrophages, play a key role in the innate immune response to infection. Our earlier study demonstrated that arabinoxylan rice bran (MGN-3/Biobran) (also known as Lentin Plus 1000) activates murine peritoneal macrophage and macrophage cell lines.

ln this study, we investigated whether MGN-3 can upregulate the phagocytic activity of human phagocytes in peripheral blood to phagocytize Escherichia coli (E. coli), trigger the oxidative burst and produce cytokines. Phagocytic cells were pre-labeled with dichlorofluorescin diacetate dye and were incubated with phycoerythrin-labeled. E. coli in thc presence or absence of MGN-3. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst were assessed by flow cytometry.

Results showed that treatment with MGN-3 enhanced the phagocytosis of E. coli by neutrophils and moncytes. This was associated with an increased oxidative burst. ln addition, it caused a significant induction of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and lL—10); the effect was detected at 1 μg/ml and increased in a dose—dependent manner (P5 0.01).

Notably, MGN-3 alone had no effect on the growth of 31 strains of bacteria suggesting that MGN-3 modulates phagocytic cellular function. These findings may have applications in the treatment of infections in the elderly and in immunocompromised patients.