Carbohydrate formulation (prebiotic adjuvant) for enhancement of immune response

Abstract

A prebiotic for enhancement of an immune response, a nutritional composition for enhancement of an immune response; use of a prebiotic in the manufacture of a medicament or nutritional composition for enhancement of an immune response; use of a prebiotic in the manufacture of a medicament or nutritional composition for the prevention or treatment of measles; a method of enhancing an immune response which comprises administering an effective amount of a prebiotic; and a method of prevention or treatment of measles which comprises administering an effective amount of a prebiotic. In preferred embodiments the prebiotic comprises a fructo-oligosaccharide.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising at least one prebiotic for enhancement of an immune response.  
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the prebiotic comprises an oligosaccharide produced from glucose, galactose, xylose, maltose, sucrose, lactose, starch, xylan, hemicellulose, inulin, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the prebiotic comprises a fructo-oligosaccharide.  
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the prebiotic comprises a mixture of fructo-oligosaccharide and inulin.  
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the prebiotic comprises, by weight, about 60% to about 80% fructo-oligosaccharide and about 20% to about 40% inulin.  
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a probiotic.  
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the probiotic is selected from the group consisting of  Bifidobacterium bifidum  and  Streptococcus thermophilus.    
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1  in combination with a carrier.  
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the carrier is a cereal, a fermented milk, a yogurt, a cheese, a renneted milk, a confectionery bar, a beverage, milk powder, a soy-based product, a non-milk fermented product, or a supplement for clinical nutrition.  
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a medicament or nutritional composition for enhancement of an immune response, which comprises including in the composition a prebiotic in an amount sufficient to elicit an enhancement of an immune response when administered to a subject.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the medicament or nutritional composition is prepared for administration for the prevention or treatment of measles.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the prebiotic comprises an oligosachharide produced from glucose, galactose, xylose, maltose, sucrose, lactose, starch, xylan, hemicellulose, inulin, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the prebiotic comprises a fructo-oligosaccharide.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the prebiotic comprises a mixture of fructo-oligosaccharide and inulin.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the prebiotic comprises, by weight, about 60% to about 80% fructo-oligosaccharide and about 20% to about 40% inulin.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the medicament or nutritional composition further comprises a probiotic.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the probiotic is selected from the group which consists of  Bifidobacterium bifidum  and  Streptococcus thermophilus.    
     
     
         18 . A method of enhancing an immune response which comprises administering at least one prebiotic or composition comprising at least one prebiotic wherein the prebiotic is present in an amount to elicit enhancement of an immune response.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one prebiotic or composition comprising at least one prebiotic is administered to a subject for prevention or treatment of measles.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the prebiotic comprises an oligosaccharide produced glucose, galactose, xylose, maltose, sucrose, lactose, starch, xylan, hemicellulose, inulin, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the prebiotic comprises a fructo-oligosaccharide.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the prebiotic comprises a mixture of fructo-oligosaccharide and inulin.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the prebiotic comprises, by weight, about 60% to about 80% fructo-oligosaccharide and about 20% to about 40% inulin.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the medicament or nutritional composition further comprises a probiotic.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the probiotic is selected from the group which consists of  Bifidobacterium bifidum  and  Streptococcus thermophilus.