Continued ingestion of the microalgae Euglena suppresses the differentiation of immune cells,
Confirmed that it suggests a relieving effect on rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

Euglena Co., Ltd.

　Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo) is unique to microalgae Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena, hereafter Euglena) powder and Euglena. We are pleased to inform you that it has been confirmed that ingestion of paramylon * 1, which is a functional component of Wovn, has the effect of suppressing the differentiation of immune cells, suggesting an alleviating effect on rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
* 1 Paramylon: A polysaccharide in which glucose molecules are linearly polymerized by β-1,3-bonds.

■ Background and purpose
　Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease in which the joints become inflamed due to the excessive reaction of immune cells to their own tissues. We have previously reported Euglena powder or paramylon in mice with rheumatoid arthritis significantly reduces the arthritis score, which indicates the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (November 16, 2015). ). This time, we measured the amount of cytokine * 2 produced from lymphocytes of rheumatoid arthritis-affected mice for the purpose of elucidating the mechanism of alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by ingestion of Euglena
* 2 Cytokine: A protein that is responsible for immune transmission in the body and is responsible for activating and suppressing the function of immune cells.

■ Research content
　Euglena powder or paramylon daily with food for a total of 24 days after the onset, and mice that were fed only food (control group). The amount of cytokines produced from was measured.

■ Results
　The group that ate Euglena powder and paramylon with food had suppressed secretions of three cytokines produced by lymphocytes compared to the control group. In other words, it is considered that ingestion of Euglena powder or paramylon suppressed the differentiation of immune cells mainly by the action of paramylon and suppressed the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

　The above research results were published in the online version (USA) of the academic journal "PLoS ONE" on February 1, 2018. Going forward, we will continue to carry out research and development with the aim of utilizing the Euglena
　The details are as follows.

About the mechanism of alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by continuous intake of microalgae Euglena

〇Details of research content
　In rheumatoid arthritis, helper T cells, which are a type of immune cells, differentiate into Th17 cells by the action of cytokines such as IL-6, and cytokines such as IL-17 are produced from Th17 cells, causing inflammation of the synovium and osteoclasts. It is thought that the pathology progresses by inducing cells.
　Euglena powder or paramylon was freely ingested with a meal every day for a total of 24 days from 2 days after the onset, and mice fed only a diet (control group). The amount of cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IFN-γ) secreted from lymphocytes was measured in the subjects.

〇Details of results
　Euglena The group that ate powder and paramylon with food had significantly lower levels of IL-17, IL-6, and IFN-γ produced by lymphocytes compared to the control group. Was shown.

〇Summary
　Euglena powder or paramylon is thought to suppress the differentiation of helper T cells, which are a type of immune cells, into Th17 cells and suppress rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

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Euglena Co., Ltd. Corporate Communication Division