Results of a study of the effectiveness of the use of a drug containing β-glucan in children with recurrent respiratory infections

Recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) in children are the most common cause of visits to paediatricians. Aim - to evaluate the clinical and immunological efficacy of a 12-week course of a drug containing β-glucan, vitamins and zinc in preschool children with RRI. Materials and methods. The study involved 120 children aged 5 to 7 years who attended preschool and/or primary school and had a history of at least 4 recorded cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the last 6 months. The main group consisted of children with ARI (n=60) who received a drug containing β-glucan, vitamins and zinc (commercial name: Bewell) for 12 weeks of observation, and the control group consisted of 60 people with ARI who received basic preventive therapy. To determine the effectiveness of the drug containing β-glucan, vitamins and zinc, the level of mRNA expression of transcription factors (TBET, RORyt, FOXP3) of T-cells and NF-B1, interleukins (IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-10) and cytokine TGF-β1 was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results. The use of a complex drug containing β-glucan, vitamins and zinc in children with ARI helps to reduce the risk of recurrent ARI, reduces the duration of subsequent ARI, and prevents the use of antibiotics and antipyretic agents. RRI are characterised by increased expression of the genes of the transcription factor TBET, NF-B1, and interleukins IL-1β, IL-17A in the buccal mucosa. In children, after treatment with a preparation containing β-glucan, vitamins and zinc, there was a decrease in the expression of the transcription factor NF-B1, transcription factors of proinflammatory immune cells, in particular Th1- and Th17-cells, proinflammatory interleukins; and an increase in the activity of both the transcription factor Treg-cells and anti-inflammatory IL-10, TGF-β1. Conclusions. The prevention course with a preparation containing β-glucan, vitamins and zinc inhibits the pro-inflammatory activity of the immune system and promotes the expression of the transcription factor FOXP3 and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, TGF-β1. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.