To investigate the impact of supplementing fermented Maillard reacted whey protein (F-MRP) on natural killer (NK) cell activity, circulating cytokines and serum protein levels.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 80 participant without diabetes and obesity. Over a 8-week testing period, the F-MRP group consumed 6 g of powder containing 4.2 g F-MRP each day, whereas the placebo group consumed the same amount with dextrin. NK cell activity (%) was measured based on the ratios of effector cells (E; peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PBMCs) from each participant to target cells (T; K562 cells) at E:T= 10:1, 5:1, 2.5:1, or 1.25:1.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Able to give informed consent
• The levels of white blood cells within range 3x10^3/μL~8x10^3/μL
• Males and females
• 20-70 years old
• Without no severe complications

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes
• White blood cell under 3x10^3/μL or over 8x10^3/μL
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Hypersensitivity or disease history for milk protein
• Liver disease, inflammation disease, or severe kidney failure disease
• Cancer, lung disease, leukemia, or autoimmune disease
• Psychological or neurological disease
• Myocardiac infarction or cerebrovascular diseases within 6 months before screening
• Consumption of other test products or drugs within 1 month before screening
• Inflammation related disease within 1 month before screening