May be of interest to some ... annoyance to othersBOULDER,...

May be of interest to some ... annoyance to others

BOULDER, Colo., Nov 18, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A recent study on an American-made, Soviet-developed immune formula shows the product has a significant effect on immune function. Among other findings, the study demonstrated that daily administration of Del-Immune V(R) within five days raised a level of circulating interferon up to 4.2+/-0.5 log2 u/ml (P <0.05) against 2.0+/-0.3 log2 u/ml of the controls.

Interferons are the body's switches that help cells resist viral infection and provide the initial, crucial response to immune challenges. The results of this research demonstrate the immune modulator activity of Del-Immune V(R) and the potential value the dietary supplement may have in clinical situations. These findings were presented on Oct. 16 at the EUPROBIO 2008 Conference in Crackow, Poland.

Del-Immune V(R), a dietary supplement, is the result of research beginning in the 1960's in Cold War-era Russia. Soviet researchers discovered that by breaking open the cells of particular strains of lactobacillus bacteria, a process called "lysing," they could access immune support components from within the cells. These components, including muramyl peptides, stimulated production of interferons and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

A Bulgarian researcher, Dr. Ivan Bogdanov, induced cancer in mice and then injected the animals with a lactobacillus lysate in 1962. He reported that the cancer disappeared within a few days. In following months, Bogdanov and his research team were unable to reintroduce cancer in the original mice treated with the lactobacillus lysate. The researchers also found the lysate formula had no side effects.

The American-made product is the contemporary adaptation of the Soviet research. It was introduced in the U.S. by a retired Colorado pharmacist when he observed the lactobacillus lysate's effect of eliminating his daughter's Hepatitis C symptoms. The product is now manufactured in the U.S. by Vivolac Laboratories of Indianapolis, Ind.