Kenji Gonda1,2,3, Hideto Kanazawa1, Goki Maeda4, Chisa Matayoshi1, Naoto Hirose5, Yukiteru Katsumoto6, Koji Kono2, Seiichi Takenoshita3. 1. Department of Medicine, Daido Central Hospital, 1-1-37, Asato, Nah City 902-0067, Okinawa, Japan. 2. Department of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University, 1, Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City 960-1295, Fukushima, Japan. 3. Fukushima Medical University, 1, Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan. 4. Department of Regional Agricultural System Section, Okinawa Prefectural Agricultural Research Center, 820, Makabe, Itoman City 901-0336, Okinawa, Japan. 5. Department of Research and Development section, Okinawa Industrial Technology Center, 12-2, Suzaki, Uruma City 904-2234, Okinawa, Japan. 6. Department of Faculty of Science, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1, Nanakuma, Jonan City 814-0180, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that flavonoid ingestion stimulates immunity, promotes health, and prevents human illness. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the association of the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) with the prevention of influenza infections and with the polyphenols contained in Okinawan vegetables. METHODS: IgA, immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels were measured in 44 outpatients who regularly ingested vegetables grown on Okinawa Island (200-300 g/day for ≥ 300 days/year) with no history of influenza infection and in 73 patients who ingested the vegetables irregularly or not at all with a history of influenza infection. RESULTS: The patients who regularly ate Okinawan vegetables had higher IgA, IgG, and IgM levels than those who did not. On the other hand, patients who did not consume Okinawan vegetables and had influenza had lower IgA, IgG, and IgM levels. In addition, the IgA and IgG levels showed significant positive correlations with the sIL-2R levels in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: It may be beneficial to eat vegetables abundant in polyphenols every day. Secretory IgA antibodies are an important part of the immune defense against viral diseases. People who ingest Okinawan vegetables have high IgA levels and might be more likely to develop immunity against influenza RNA viruses.
BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that flavonoid ingestion stimulates immunity, promotes health, and prevents human illness. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the association of the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) with the prevention of influenzainfections and with the polyphenols contained in Okinawan vegetables. METHODS:IgA, immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels were measured in 44 outpatients who regularly ingested vegetables grown on Okinawa Island (200-300 g/day for ≥ 300 days/year) with no history of influenzainfection and in 73 patients who ingested the vegetables irregularly or not at all with a history of influenzainfection. RESULTS: The patients who regularly ate Okinawan vegetables had higher IgA, IgG, and IgM levels than those who did not. On the other hand, patients who did not consume Okinawan vegetables and had influenza had lower IgA, IgG, and IgM levels. In addition, the IgA and IgG levels showed significant positive correlations with the sIL-2R levels in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: It may be beneficial to eat vegetables abundant in polyphenols every day. Secretory IgA antibodies are an important part of the immune defense against viral diseases. People who ingest Okinawan vegetables have high IgA levels and might be more likely to develop immunity against influenza RNA viruses.