Consumption of cranberry polyphenols enhances human γδ-T cell proliferation and reduces the number of symptoms associated with colds and influenza: a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study

Nutr J. 2013 Dec 13:12:161. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-161.

Abstract

Background: Our main objective was to evaluate the ability of cranberry phytochemicals to modify immunity, specifically γδ-T cell proliferation, after daily consumption of a cranberry beverage, and its effect on health outcomes related to cold and influenza symptoms.

Methods: The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel intervention. Subjects drank a low calorie cranberry beverage (450 ml) made with a juice-derived, powdered cranberry fraction (n = 22) or a placebo beverage (n = 23), daily, for 10 wk. PBMC were cultured for six days with autologous serum and PHA-L stimulation. Cold and influenza symptoms were self-reported.

Results: The proliferation index of γδ-T cells in culture was almost five times higher after 10 wk of cranberry beverage consumption (p <0.001). In the cranberry beverage group, the incidence of illness was not reduced, however significantly fewer symptoms of illness were reported (p = 0.031).

Conclusions: Consumption of the cranberry beverage modified the ex vivo proliferation of γδ-T cells. As these cells are located in the epithelium and serve as a first line of defense, improving their function may be related to reducing the number of symptoms associated with a cold and flu.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01398150.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Beverages* / analysis
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Common Cold / epidemiology
  • Common Cold / immunology*
  • Common Cold / physiopathology
  • Common Cold / prevention & control
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Functional Food* / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Incidence
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / immunology*
  • Influenza, Human / physiopathology
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / pathology
  • Male
  • Non-Nutritive Sweeteners / analysis
  • Polyphenols / analysis
  • Polyphenols / metabolism
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use
  • Proanthocyanidins / analysis
  • Proanthocyanidins / metabolism
  • Proanthocyanidins / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Vaccinium macrocarpon / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Non-Nutritive Sweeteners
  • Polyphenols
  • Proanthocyanidins

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01398150