Beta-glucan and Immune Response to Influenza Vaccine

Last updated: October 23, 2025
Sponsor: University of Florida
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

2

Condition

N/A

Treatment

Influenza Vaccine

Placebo

Beta-glucan

Clinical Study ID

NCT05074303
IRB202101959
  • Ages 50-100
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

This trial in healthy adults will determine the effects of beta-glucan, a dietary fiber supplement isolated from baker's yeast, on immune response to the influenza vaccine.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Adult volunteers ≥ 50 years of age.

  2. Planning to be vaccinated for influenza

  3. Have been immunized for COVID-19

  4. Willing and able to provide written informed consent in English.

  5. Willing and able to comply with all the study-related procedures, includingattending to study visits for blood draw, taking the influenza vaccine, intake ofthe study supplement, and completing study questionnaires.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Demonstrate an inability to comply with the study-related procedures.

  2. Have a history of a severe reaction or hypersensitivity following vaccination withinfluenza vaccine, vaccination with any other vaccine containing the samesubstances, or intake of the study product.

  3. Have an immune system alteration because of an underlying illness (e.g., autoimmunedisease) or immune-suppressing treatment (e.g., steroids (last 30 days); cytotoxicdrugs, medical surgery, or radiation therapy during the 6 months, previous toenrollment).

  4. Be concurrently participating in a clinical trial that, in the judgement of theinvestigator, would interfere with the evaluation of the study outcomes.

Study Design

Total Participants: 78
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: Influenza Vaccine
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
July 18, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
August 28, 2024

Study Description

Beta-glucans have been shown to enhance the innate and adaptive immune responses in cell cultures, animal models, and humans, thus adults over the age of 50 years receiving the influenza vaccination may benefit in terms of their immune response from supplementation with beta-glucans. This is a 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-arm parallel study designed to evaluate the adjuvant effect of beta-glucan dietary supplementation during influenza vaccination. Participants will consume either the beta-glucan or placebo capsules for 42 days. Participants will complete an online Qualtrics daily questionnaire of compliance, fatigue, and cold and flu symptoms throughout the 42-day study. Influenza vaccine will be administered on or about day 14. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) will be completed at baseline, 2 weeks and 6 weeks. Blood draws for antibody and cytokine response will be completed at baseline, and on or about days 14 and 15, and on day 42.

Connect with a study center

  • Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida

    Gainesville, Florida 32611
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida

    Gainesville 4156404, Florida 4155751 32611
    United States

    Site Not Available

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