Onsen-so RG92 Takes a New Approach to "Immune Abnormalities"

SARABiO Onsen Microorganism Research Institute Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Representative Director: Takuya Hamada) has discovered a new approach to the relationship between "immune abnormalities," the root cause of allergies and autonomic nervous system imbalances that trouble modern people, and "intestinal environment," in addition to its achievements in extending healthy life expectancy in humans, using the "Onsen-so RG92" (hereinafter referred to as Onsen-so RG92), a hot spring alga isolated from Beppu hot springs and patented. We have started a joint research project with Kanazawa University (Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Division of Medical Sciences) to elucidate new functions at the molecular level through the intestinal environment.

Background of Development: "Immune Abnormalities" Facing Modern People and the "Treg" Command Center that Suppresses Runaway Immunity

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in people complaining of allergic diseases (such as hay fever and atopic dermatitis), autonomic nervous system imbalances, and chronic poor health, particularly in developed countries. It is becoming increasingly clear that "immune runaway (breakdown of homeostasis)," where the immune system, which should protect the body, overreacts, is deeply involved in the background of these symptoms.

The immune cell known as "regulatory T cells (Treg)" is currently attracting the most attention as the "command center (brake)" that suppresses this immune runaway and balances the overall system. The normal differentiation and activation of Treg in the gut are considered important factors in suppressing allergies and maintaining overall immune balance.

Onsen-so RG92 Takes a New Approach to "Immune Abnormalities"

Past Achievements: Anti-inflammatory and Metabolic Improvement Effects Confirmed in Clinical Trials on Humans

"Onsen-so RG92," a new species of hot spring microalga with high anti-inflammatory effects.

In the process of scientifically elucidating the "hot spring bathing effect" of hot springs, our institute discovered a new species of hot spring microalga, "Onsen-so RG92," with high anti-inflammatory effects. We have confirmed its high physiological effects related to modern metabolic countermeasures and extending healthy life expectancy, such as improving insulin resistance and its antioxidant and anti-glycation effects, through double-blind studies (clinical trials) on humans, and have presented these findings at academic conferences.

Latest Research Findings: Significant Increase in "Butyrate" that Drives Treg Observed in Tissue Analysis of Animal "Intestines"

We conducted research on the "prebiotic (intestinal bacteria support function)" to support why Onsen-so RG92 can exhibit high performance in the human body.

In demonstration experiments targeting industrial animals (laying hens, pigs, etc.) and farmed fish (flounder, etc.), a detailed examination of the intestinal environment of individuals orally administered Onsen-so RG92 extract revealed the following facts, which have been published in academic papers.

Prebiotic Function of Glycolipid "DGDG"

Onsen-so RG92 is remarkably rich in "DGDG (digalactosyl diacylglycerol)," one of the major membrane components of chloroplasts, compared to common microalgae such as Chlorella (7.0g per 100g of dried algae). It was found that the decomposition products of DGDG function as "food (fermentation substrate)" for useful bacteria, including butyrate-producing bacteria in the large intestine.

Concentration of "Butyrate (short-chain fatty acid)" in Feces Doubles

As a result of verification in laying hens, it was revealed that the concentration of acetic acid, propionic acid, and most importantly, "butyrate," which holds the key to immune activity, in the feces of individuals who ingested Onsen-so RG92 significantly increased by approximately twofold compared to the control group. This was published in a peer-reviewed paper by the Japanese Poultry Science Association.

"Host Defense and Immune Enhancement" Demonstrated by Gene Analysis (PCR) of Large Intestine Cells

Sampling of large intestine cell tissues from the target animals and performing gene expression analysis by PCR revealed a significant increase in the expression levels of genes related to innate immunity and cell-cell adhesion (intestinal barrier function), proving the improvement of the host defense system originating from the large intestine.

From these studies, we have hypothesized a new mechanism (potential application) that functions through the intestinal environment, and are currently conducting cutting-edge genomic research on Treg (regulatory T cell) activity, including shotgun metagenomic analysis, in collaboration with Kanazawa University (Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Division of Medical Sciences).

Onsen-so RG92 Doubles the Concentration of "Butyrate," the Key to Immune Activity

Combining Results and Medical Trends: The Potential of Onsen-so RG92 to Affect Human Immunity (Treg)

The fact of "significant increase in butyrate in the large intestine" proven by animal intestinal analysis leads to an important approach to solving modern immune abnormalities.

This is because recent research in immunology and gut microbiota metabolism has elucidated the mechanism that "butyrate produced by gut bacteria acts on large intestinal epithelial cells and immune cells, becoming an essential signal (trigger) for inducing the normal differentiation and maturation of "Treg," which suppresses immune runaway."

The fact that "Onsen-so RG92," which has already shown high anti-inflammatory and metabolic improvement effects in human clinical trials, has been found to "dramatically promote butyrate production and enhance the barrier function of the large intestine" in the intestines of animals suggests extremely high potential for application in "normalizing immune balance through Treg" in the human body.

The Potential of Onsen-so RG92 to Affect Human Immunity (Treg)

Future Prospects: Continued Applied Research on Humans to Contribute to Modern Wellness

SARABiO Onsen Microorganism Research Institute Co., Ltd. is a biotechnology company with the philosophy of "Scientifically Understanding the Power of Hot Springs." To further explore the unprecedented synergy of "Onsen-so RG92 x Short-Chain Fatty Acids x Treg (Immune Homeostasis)" that emerged from the tissue analysis of animals, we will strengthen collaboration with universities and medical institutions both domestically and internationally, and will continue to vigorously pursue applied and social implementation research on humans with the aim of alleviating various symptoms caused by immune system abnormalities, such as autoimmune diseases like allergies.

[Contact Information for this Matter]

SARABiO Onsen Microorganism Research Institute Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department

1356-6 Tsurumi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture 874-0842

TEL: 0977-75-8575 / FAX: 0977-75-8112

Mail: https://www.saravio.jp/contactus/corporate-customer/

URL: https://sarabio.jp/