Tohru Sonoda

Bio: Tohru Sonoda is an academic researcher from American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Akkermansia muciniphila. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 6 publications receiving 7 citations.

Immune and metabolic beneficial effects of Beta 1,3-1,6 glucans produced by two novel strains of Aureobasidium pullulans in healthy middle-aged Japanese men: An exploratory study

Abstract: Background Imbalances in glucose and lipid metabolism in the background of a declining immune system, along with aging, make one prone to glucolipotoxicity-related diseases such as hepatic steatosis and to high risk of infection-related mortality, as with COVID-19, warranting a safe prophylactic measure to help regulate both metabolism and the immune system. Based on the beneficial effects of the AFO-202 strain of black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans-produced beta 1,3-1,6 glucan in balancing of blood glucose and immune enhancement, and that of the N-163 strain of the same species in lipid metabolism and immune modulation, in this pilot study, we have evaluated their specific benefits in healthy human subjects. Methods Sixteen healthy Japanese male volunteers (aged 40 to 60 years) took part in this clinical trial. They were divided into four groups (n = 4 each): Group I consumed AFO-202 beta glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each per day), IA for 35 days and IB for 21 days; Group II consumed a combination of AFO-202 beta glucan (2 sachets of 1 g each) and N-163 beta glucan (1 sachet of 15 g gel each per day), IIA for 35 days and IIB for 21 days. Investigations for immune stimulation, anti-glycaemic, and anti-cholesterolemia biomarkers were undertaken in all four groups. Results In terms of metabolic control of glucose, the decrease in HbA1C and glycated albumin (GA) was significantly better in Group I compared with the other groups. Immune enhancement in terms of a significant increase of eosinophils and monocytes and marginal decrease in D-dimer levels, decrease in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), with an increase in the lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio (LCR) and leukocyte-to-CRP ratio (LeCR) was observed in Group I. Regulation of lipids by decrease in total and LDL cholesterol was better in Group II, and immunomodulation of coagulation-associated and anti-inflammatory markers by a decrease of CD11b, serum ferritin, galectin-3, fibrinogen was profound in Group II. Conclusion A. pullulans, a polythermotolerant black yeast - produced AFO-202 beta glucan has balanced blood glucose with marginal immune enhancement in healthy individuals, which when combined with N-163 beta glucan, balanced the lipid profile and immunomodulation. This outcome warrants larger clinical trials to understand the mechanisms and explore the potentials of these safe food supplements in prevention and prophylaxis of diseases due to dysregulated glucose and lipid metabolism, such as fatty liver disease, and infections such as COVID-19 in which a balanced immune activation and immunomodulation are of utmost importance, besides their administration as an adjunct to existing therapeutic approaches of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Beneficial reconstitution of gut microbiota and control of alpha-synuclein and curli-amyloids-producing enterobacteria, by beta 1,3-1,6 glucans in a clinical pilot study of autism and potentials in neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract: Background/objective: Gut dysbiosis is one of the major pathologies in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In previous studies, Aureobasidium pullulans (i.e., black yeast AFO-202-produced beta glucan found in Nichi Glucan) yielded beneficial clinical outcomes related to sleep and behaviour. Evaluation of gut microbiota of the subjects in the present randomized pilot clinical study was undertaken and compared with an aim of gaining a mechanistic insight. Methods: The study involved 18 subjects with ASD who were randomly allocated: six subjects in the control group (Group 1) underwent conventional treatment comprising remedial behavioural therapies and L-carnosine 500 mg per day, and 12 subjects (Group 2) underwent supplementation with Nichi Glucan 0.5 g twice daily along with the conventional treatment for 90 days. The subjects stool samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention. Whole genome metagenome (WGM) sequencing was performed. Results: WGM sequencing followed by bioinformatic analysis in 13 subjects who completed the study showed that among genera of relevance, the abundance of Enterobacteria was decreased almost to zero in Group 2 after intervention, whereas it increased from 0.36% to 0.85% in Group 1. The abundance of Bacteroides increased from 16.84% to 19.09% in Group 1, whereas it decreased from 11.60% to 11.43% in Group 2. The abundance of Prevotella increased in both Group 1 and Group 2. The decrease in abundance of lactobacillus was significant in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Among species, a decrease was seen in Escherichia coli, Akkermansia muciniphila CAG:154, Blautia spp., Coprobacillus sp., and Clostridium bolteae CAG:59, with an increase of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Prevotella copri, which are both beneficial. Conclusion: AFO-202 beta 1,3-1,6 glucan was able to balance the gut microbiome, which is considered beneficial in children with ASD. Effective control of curli-producing enterobacteria that leads to α-synuclein (αSyn) misfolding and accumulation, which apart from being advantageous in alleviating ASD symptoms, may have a prophylactic role in Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases where the Alpha Syn misfolding and amyloid deposition are central to their pathogenesis. Additionally, stimulation of natural killer cells to help clear accumulated Alpha Syn amyloids, beneficial microbiome reconstitution, and microglial rejuvenation lead us to recommend larger clinical studies in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases of this safety-proven food supplement.

Benefits of Gut Microbiota Reconstitution by Beta 1,3-1,6 Glucans in Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Aureobasidium pullulans (black yeast) AFO-202 strain-produced beta glucan, Nichi Glucan, has been shown to improve the behavior and sleep pattern along with an increase in α-synuclein and melatonin in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVE In this randomized pilot clinical study, we have evaluated the gut microbiota of subjects with ASD after consumption of Nichi Glucan. METHODS Eighteen subjects with ASD were randomly allocated: six subjects in the control group (Group 1): conventional treatment comprising remedial behavioral therapies and L-carnosine 500 mg per day, and 12 subjects (Group 2) underwent supplementation with Nichi Glucan 0.5 g twice daily along with the conventional treatment for 90 days. RESULTS Whole genome metagenome (WGM) sequencing of the stool samples at baseline and after intervention showed that among genera of relevance, the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae was decreased almost to zero in Group 2 after intervention, whereas it increased from 0.36% to 0.85% in Group 1. The abundance of Bacteroides increased in Group 1, whereas it decreased in Group 2. The abundance of Prevotella increased while the abundance of Lactobacillus decreased in both Group 1 and Group 2. Among species, a decrease was seen in Escherichia coli, Akkermansia muciniphila CAG:154, Blautia spp., Coprobacillus sp., and Clostridium bolteae CAG:59, with an increase of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Prevotella copri, which are both beneficial. CONCLUSION AFO-202 beta 1,3-1,6 glucan, in addition to balancing the gut microbiome in children with ASD and its role in effective control of curli-producing Enterobacteriaceae that leads to α-synuclein misfolding and accumulation, may have a prophylactic role in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases as well.

Improvement of sleep patterns and serum melatonin levels in children with autism spectrum disorders after consumption of beta-1,3/1,6-glucan in a pilot clinical study

Abstract: Study objectives: Poor sleep quality is a major problem that patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face, which is attributed to their low melatonin levels. Melatonin supplementation is recommended, but its effectiveness is varied. Beta-glucans have previously been reported to improve melatonin levels in animal studies. Therefore, we examined the effectiveness of Aureobasidium pullulans (Nichi Glucan), a species of black yeast that contains beta-1,3/1,6-glucan, in a pilot study of children with ASD. Methods Thirteen children (age = 2.5 to 13 years) with ASD were recruited into the study. The control group consisted of four patients (Gr. 1), while nine patients were in the treatment group (Gr. 2). Gr. 2 received 1 g of Nichi Glucan along with conventional therapy, whereas Gr. 1 underwent conventional therapy alone for 90 days. The serum melatonin levels and sleep patterns, assessed using a subjective questionnaire, were evaluated before and after treatment. Results In Gr. 2, the average serum melatonin level increased from 238.85 ng/dl pre-intervention to 394.72 ng/dl post-intervention. Eight out of nine subjects (88%) in Gr. 2 group showed and improvement in their sleep pattern and quality, while this improvement was not observed in the control group. Conclusions Our study is the first in the literature to report that consumption of Nichi Glucan for 90 days showed visible improvement in sleep quality, sleep pattern, and serum melatonin levels. A larger multicentre study is warranted to validate our findings.

COVID-19 at a Glance: An Up-to-Date Overview on Variants, Drug Design and Therapies

Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a member of the Coronavirus family which caused the worldwide pandemic of human respiratory illness coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Presumably emerging at the end of 2019, it poses a severe threat to public health and safety, with a high incidence of transmission, predominately through aerosols and/or direct contact with infected surfaces. In 2020, the search for vaccines began, leading to the obtaining of, to date, about twenty COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in at least one country. However, COVID-19 continues to spread and new genetic mutations and variants have been discovered, requiring pharmacological treatments. The most common therapies for COVID-19 are represented by antiviral and antimalarial agents, antibiotics, immunomodulators, angiotensin II receptor blockers, bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists and corticosteroids. In addition, nutraceuticals, vitamins D and C, omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics are under study. Finally, drug repositioning, which concerns the investigation of existing drugs for new therapeutic target indications, has been widely proposed in the literature for COVID-19 therapies. Considering the importance of this ongoing global public health emergency, this review aims to offer a synthetic up-to-date overview regarding diagnoses, variants and vaccines for COVID-19, with particular attention paid to the adopted treatments.

Improvement of behavioural pattern and alpha-synuclein levels in autism spectrum disorder after consumption of a beta-glucan food supplement in a randomised, parallel-group pilot clinical study

Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a wide range of behavioural disabilities for which there are no definite interventional modalities available. Remedial therapies remain the only option but with varying outcomes. We have evaluated the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and alpha-synuclein levels in this parallel-group, multiple-arm pilot clinical study after supplementation with a biological response modifier beta-glucan food supplement (Nichi Glucan).Six subjects with ASD (n=6) Gr. 1 underwent conventional treatment comprising remedial behavioural therapies and L-carnosine 500 mg per day, and 12 subjects (n=12) Gr. 2 underwent supplementation with the Nichi Glucan 0.5 g two times per day along with the conventional treatment.There was a significant decrease in the CARS score in all of the children of the Nichi Glucan Gr.2 compared with the control (p=0.034517). Plasma levels of alpha-synuclein were significantly higher in Gr. 2 (Nichi Glucan) than in the control group Gr. 1 (p=0.091701).Improvement of the behavioural pattern CARS score and a correlating alpha-synuclein level, followed by a safe beta-glucan food supplement, warrants further research on other parameters, such as gut-microbiota evaluation, and relevant neuronal biomarkers which is likely to cast light on novel solutions.

Beneficial reconstitution of gut microbiota and control of alpha-synuclein and curli-amyloids-producing enterobacteria, by beta 1,3-1,6 glucans in a clinical pilot study of autism and potentials in neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract: Background/objective: Gut dysbiosis is one of the major pathologies in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In previous studies, Aureobasidium pullulans (i.e., black yeast AFO-202-produced beta glucan found in Nichi Glucan) yielded beneficial clinical outcomes related to sleep and behaviour. Evaluation of gut microbiota of the subjects in the present randomized pilot clinical study was undertaken and compared with an aim of gaining a mechanistic insight. Methods: The study involved 18 subjects with ASD who were randomly allocated: six subjects in the control group (Group 1) underwent conventional treatment comprising remedial behavioural therapies and L-carnosine 500 mg per day, and 12 subjects (Group 2) underwent supplementation with Nichi Glucan 0.5 g twice daily along with the conventional treatment for 90 days. The subjects stool samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention. Whole genome metagenome (WGM) sequencing was performed. Results: WGM sequencing followed by bioinformatic analysis in 13 subjects who completed the study showed that among genera of relevance, the abundance of Enterobacteria was decreased almost to zero in Group 2 after intervention, whereas it increased from 0.36% to 0.85% in Group 1. The abundance of Bacteroides increased from 16.84% to 19.09% in Group 1, whereas it decreased from 11.60% to 11.43% in Group 2. The abundance of Prevotella increased in both Group 1 and Group 2. The decrease in abundance of lactobacillus was significant in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Among species, a decrease was seen in Escherichia coli, Akkermansia muciniphila CAG:154, Blautia spp., Coprobacillus sp., and Clostridium bolteae CAG:59, with an increase of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Prevotella copri, which are both beneficial. Conclusion: AFO-202 beta 1,3-1,6 glucan was able to balance the gut microbiome, which is considered beneficial in children with ASD. Effective control of curli-producing enterobacteria that leads to α-synuclein (αSyn) misfolding and accumulation, which apart from being advantageous in alleviating ASD symptoms, may have a prophylactic role in Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases where the Alpha Syn misfolding and amyloid deposition are central to their pathogenesis. Additionally, stimulation of natural killer cells to help clear accumulated Alpha Syn amyloids, beneficial microbiome reconstitution, and microglial rejuvenation lead us to recommend larger clinical studies in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases of this safety-proven food supplement.

Benefits of Gut Microbiota Reconstitution by Beta 1,3-1,6 Glucans in Subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Aureobasidium pullulans (black yeast) AFO-202 strain-produced beta glucan, Nichi Glucan, has been shown to improve the behavior and sleep pattern along with an increase in α-synuclein and melatonin in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVE In this randomized pilot clinical study, we have evaluated the gut microbiota of subjects with ASD after consumption of Nichi Glucan. METHODS Eighteen subjects with ASD were randomly allocated: six subjects in the control group (Group 1): conventional treatment comprising remedial behavioral therapies and L-carnosine 500 mg per day, and 12 subjects (Group 2) underwent supplementation with Nichi Glucan 0.5 g twice daily along with the conventional treatment for 90 days. RESULTS Whole genome metagenome (WGM) sequencing of the stool samples at baseline and after intervention showed that among genera of relevance, the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae was decreased almost to zero in Group 2 after intervention, whereas it increased from 0.36% to 0.85% in Group 1. The abundance of Bacteroides increased in Group 1, whereas it decreased in Group 2. The abundance of Prevotella increased while the abundance of Lactobacillus decreased in both Group 1 and Group 2. Among species, a decrease was seen in Escherichia coli, Akkermansia muciniphila CAG:154, Blautia spp., Coprobacillus sp., and Clostridium bolteae CAG:59, with an increase of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Prevotella copri, which are both beneficial. CONCLUSION AFO-202 beta 1,3-1,6 glucan, in addition to balancing the gut microbiome in children with ASD and its role in effective control of curli-producing Enterobacteriaceae that leads to α-synuclein misfolding and accumulation, may have a prophylactic role in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases as well.