2005 Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages 127-133
Natural killer (NK) cells specifically lyse cancer cells or infected cells and play important roles in immune surveillance against tumor and infection. Probiotics, live bacteria and their metabolic products beneficial to humans, are reported to modulate NK cell activity and result in the prevention of tumor development. In this study, we examined the effect of metabolic products of strain Bacillus subtilis AK, selective strain from Bacillus subtilis natto, (EMBSAK) on NK cell activity. NK cell activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was enhanced in 50% of the rats orally inoculated with EMBSAK. In the experiments using EMBSAK-containing product, SARABAGAN, increasing frequency of NK cell activation was observed in volunteers as dose depending manner. These results suggested that supplemental intake of EMBSAK enhanced NK cell activity and indicated the possible utility of EMBSAK as complementary and alternative medicine, although susceptibility is individually various.
