EFFECT OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED POLYSACCHARIDE FROM KEFIR GRAIN ON DELAYED-TYPE HYPERSENSITIVITY AND TUMOR GROWTH IN MICE

Abstract

The effect of oral administration of a polysaccharide (KGF-C), isolated from the kefir grain, on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) induced by picryl chloride and on the growth of solid tumor was examined in mice. KGF-C caused an increase in DTH response in intact mice and also tumor-bearing mice. The growth of tumor inoculated after the DTH test was markedly inhibited in the groups with high DTH response. A significant correlation between the DTH response and the antitumor activity was observed in intact mice.