Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice suppresses IgE production by the modulation of Th1/Th2 balance in murine mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes.

We compared the immunomodulating effects of Phellinus linteus (PL), germinated brown rice (BR) and P. linteus grown on germinated brown rice (PB) on IgE production in murine mesenteric lymph node (MLN) lymphocytes. All extracts decreased IgE concentrations by 43--65% compared to control mice in both serum and MLN lymphocytes. In addition, PL and PB increased the proportion of CD4(+) T cells by 9% and 12% in MLN lymphocytes. IFN-gamma concentration, Th1 cytokine, was significantly increased by 44--67%, whereas IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations, Th2 cytokine, significantly decreased by 30--60% in the three treated groups compared to control group. These results suggest that PB suppresses IgE production through the modulation of Th1/Th2 balance to down-regulate Th2 response in MLN lymphocytes, even though a synergistic effect of PB was not found.