LAUSR

Objectives We want to investigate the effects a fermented soy drink (Q-CAN® Plus) on the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in lean and obese individuals. Methods Prospective study comprised of lean (10) and obese (10) individuals without a known diagnosis. 11 clinic visits over 14 weeks (visit 1/wk -2, visit 2/wk -1, visit 3/wk 0, visit 4/wk 1, visit 5/wk 2, visit 6/wk 3, visit 7/wk 4, visit 8/wk 6, visit 9/wk 8, visit 10/wk 10, visit 11/wk 12). Visits 1, 2 and 3 occurred prior to treatment. 237 ml of soy was dispensed at visit 3 and was consumed twice daily for 4 weeks until visit 7 (weeks 1-4). Visits 8, 9, 10 and 11 were post treatment. Blood was collected during visits 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, and serum was subjected to quantification of cytokine levels using Human Magnetic Luminex® Assays - Human XL cytokine Discovery Premixed kit (CCL-2,4,5,11,20, FLT-3 ligand, CXCL-2,3,10, PDGF AB/BB, AA, IL-1RA, IL-10, PDL-1, VEGF, GMCSF and TRAIL, expressed as pg/ml). Paired t-test and one-way ANOVA (significance of P < 0.05) for the three therapeutic phases of pretreatment, during treatment and post treatmen. Results In lean subjects during treatment PDGF AA and AB/BB was significantly lower as compared to pretreatment, and this was sustained post-treatment (PDGF AA mean, pre = 1355 pg/ml, on = 913 pg/ml & post = 746, P < 0.05; PDGF AB/BB mean, pre = 611, on = 403 & post = 313 pg/ml, P < 0.05). In obese subjects only PDGF AA levels showed significant reduction on Q-CAN® Plus treatment, and returned to baseline post-treatment (PDGF AA mean pre = 922 pg/ml & on = 694 pg/ml; PDGF AB/BB mean in obese pretreatment = 267 pg/ml). In obese subjects, the levels of IL-1RA & GMCSF were also significantly lowered upon treatment as compared to their respective pre-treatment phase levels (IL-1RA mean, pre = 474 pg/ml & on = 353 pg/ml, P < 0.05; GMCSF mean, pre = 14 pg/ml & on = 10 pg/ml; P < 0.05). Post-treatment IL-1RA and GMCSF levels in obese subjects trended back to base line. Conclusions Consumption of Q-CAN® Plus fermented soy drink by healthy subjects resulted in reduction of serum levels of key inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. This suggests that Q-CAN® Plus consumption may prove beneficial for the management of chronic inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Future studies are necessary to confirm the effects of Q-CAN plus in patients with other inflammatory conditions. Funding Sources BESO Biological Research, Inc.