Cranberry Consumption Improves γδ T Cell Function

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which consuming a cranberry beverage modifies immune function, specifically related to γδ T cells and other innate immune cells. It is hypothesized that cranberry components will interact with immune cells to activate signaling pathways that enhance cell function. Enhanced immune cell function should result in reduced number, duration, and severity of cold and flu symptoms.

Official Title
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Cranberry Consumption Improves γδ T Cell Function

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Cranberry Beverage
* Other: Placebo Beverage


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: between 21 and 35 years of age and in good health have a BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 willing to consume the study beverage for 12 weeks willing to have a small amount of blood drawn two times willing to stop consuming tea and immune-enhancing dietary supplements (e.g. antioxidant-, probiotic-, or flavonoid-containing supplements, fish oil, and Echinacea) before and during the 12 weeks of the study willing to consume no more than 7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day willing to limit your alcohol consumption to no more than 14 glasses a week willing to limit your yogurt consumption to no more than one 8oz. serving per day Exclusion Criteria: have food allergies have hypertension taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on a chronic basis, antibiotics, or immunosuppressive drugs sensitive to aspirin or prone to kidney stones current smoker pregnant, lactating, or on hormone therapy, except for birth control pills

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Cranberry Beverage<br>Cranberry Beverage is provided in an 8 oz daily beverage consumed once daily for 12 weeks | Other: Cranberry Beverage<br>* 8 oz cranberry beverage consumed daily for 12 weeks<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo Beverage<br>The placebo beverage looks like the active arm and is given in the same way but contains no active ingredient. | Other: Placebo Beverage<br>* 8 oz placebo beverage consumed daily for 12 weeks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Immune Cell Function | Change in leukocyte phenotype Change in the ability of the natural killer and/or γδ T cells to proliferate when cultured ex vivo Change in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokine and chemokine production in response to mitogens | Measured at baseline and 6 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cold and Flu Symptoms | Incidence and severity of cold and flu symptoms, total and individual. Other signs of severity, for example, visits to doctor or health clinic, reduction in daily activities, prescribed or over-the-counter medications taken. | 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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cranberry, gamma delta T cell, improvement in immune cell function in healthy humans, proliferation