Basophilic Response in Patients with Persistent Symptoms Attributed to Lyme Borreliosis Treated with Hydrolysed Arabinoxylan Rice Bran

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: MGN-3/Biobran (BRM4, Lentin Plus or Ribraxx) is a natural, rice bran-derived arabinoxylan immunoceutical that modulates the adaptive immune response to viral infections. In response to bacterial infections, basophils act as "first responders" and are also associated with modulation of the adaptive immune response. The maturation of pluripotent CD34⁺ stem cells into basophils is supported by the cytokine interleukin-3 (IL-3). The aim was to test the hypothesis that modulation of the adaptive immune response in bacterial infection by MGN-3/Biobran entails a basophilic response. The tick-related disorder Lyme borreliosis was chosen as the disease model; tick bites are associated with cutaneous IL-3-mediated basophil recruitment. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A three-month randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with a history of borreliosis who were suffering from symptoms attributable to this disorder. The immunoceutical group received oral Biobran; the dosage for both groups was 1 g thrice daily. Both groups were matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. <i>Results:</i> A higher percentage of basophil count occurred in the immunoceutical group (<i>p</i> = 0.038). The final general linear model included the group (immunoceutical/placebo) and change in fatigue assessed by the 11-item Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ) (<i>r</i>² = 0.63; <i>p</i> = 0.0066). The change in basophil count was positively correlated with CFQ change (<i>r_s</i> = 0.633; <i>p</i> = 0.020); only the immunoceutical group showed a positive correlation. <i>Conclusions</i>: These results support the hypothesis being tested. Basophils may modulate the adaptive immune response by acting as immunoregulatory cells. They can regulate the functioning of type 2 T-helper lymphocytes, enhance immunological memory, and present antigens to CD8 T lymphocytes. Further studies are needed to clarify potential mechanistic factors and the timing of this basophilic response.