Immunomodulation of human NK cell activity by Marina Crystal Minerals (MCM), a crystallized mixture of minerals and trace elements from sea water

摘要

The in vivo immunomodulatory function of human natural killer (NK) cell activity by a crystallized mixture of minerals, trace elements, and other active ingredients from sea water excluding sodium chloride, called Marina Crystal Minerals (MCM) was examined. 11 individuals were given MCM at a dose of 20 mg/kg daily orally for 2 months, and NK activity was examined by standard 51Cr-release assay and the percentage of NK cells CD16+ and CD56+/CD3- were determined by flow cytometry. MCM significantly enhanced NK activity (2 fold increase over baseline value) at 2 weeks post treatment P<0.001. The activity was maintained at a high level for at least 2 months. When the treatment was discontinued, the activity of NK cells returned to baseline value. There was no change in the percentage of NK cells, suggesting that MCM enhances NK activity per cell. In vitro studies of cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) treated with MCM for 16 h resulted in significant enhancement of NK activity (155% and 210%increase at 25 and 100μg/ml respectively). An 8-fold increase in the production of interferon-gamma was observed after culture of PBL with MCM at 100μg/ml. MCM exerted no suppressive effects on lymphocyte function in the absence or presence of mitogens(PHA, Con A and PWM). It is concluded that MCM may be useful in cancer immunotherapy.