Astronauts’ Health During Space Missions: Nichi BRITE and Neu REFIX Beta Glucans Could Benefit by Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, IL-6 Control, the Immune Biomarkers of Aging and Longevity

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 17, 2025--

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a critical biomarker of health of astronauts during space mission, and that of aging related illnesses, inflammaging, longevity and cancer prognosis. Oral consumption of AFO-202 strain of Aureobasidium pullulans produced Nichi BRITE and N-163 strain produced Neu REFIX together in pre-clinical and clinical studies having safely and beneficially modified NLR, are considered holding potential to help maintain astronauts health during space flight and also to bridge the gap between health span and life span by ‘ Me-Byo’ phenomenon as published in Frontiers in Immunology while Neu REFIX standalone yielding enhanced dystrophin, an additional benefit that might help prevent muscle loss during space missions.

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Astronauts during space travel are exposed to ionizing radiation, circadian rhythm disruption and microgravity leading to stress, inflammation and immune dysfunction which reflects as an increase in NLR. There has been no safe intervention using a food supplement reported yet beneficially modifying NLR, according to the authors. They added that Nichi BRITE reporting immune enhancement and anti-cancer effects, Neu REFIX for its immune modulation and anti-fibrotic effects apart from enhanced gravisensing dystrophin in pre-clinical and clinical studies; when consumed together efficiently enhances butyrate, an indicator of health and longevity through beneficial gut microbiome modulation are worth further research in simulated microgravity and for vulnerable populations, specially immunocompromised and in auto-immune diseases. These potentials may bridge the gap between health span and lifespan. Neu REFIX has been granted ODD and RPD by US FDA for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Hastening process of aging & inflammaging during space flight and muscle mass reduction similar to old age reflected by NLR and dystrophin levels, being beneficially modified by these unique exo-polysaccharide beta glucans manufactured in Japan as food supplements open a new area of research which could help space travel and also aging & longevity related health indices. Research could also be of help in the health and resilience of individuals working in harsh environmental conditions such as deep-sea researchers, high-altitude climbers, polar expeditions and workers prone to radiation hazards.

*B-1,3-1,6 glucan is alisted food additive in MHLW, Japan; Not a drug or remedy to any illness. Research findings should not be construed as medical advice. Not GRAS, EFSA certified.

Astronauts during space missions, deep-sea researchers, high-altitude climbers, and workers exposed to radiation hazards, are highly prone to hastened process of aging and inflammaging, reflected by increase in NLR, Interleukin-6, gut dysbiosis and immune dysfunction. Going by earlier pre-clinical & clinical studies where oral consumption of Nichi BRITE and Neu REFIX beta-glucans have shown to safely and beneficially modify those biomarkers including reduction of D-Dimer and Ferritin, besides Neu REFIX standalone reducing skeletal muscle fibrosis are considered holding potentials for benefitting those undertaking expeditions in hostile conditions. Upon validation, they could be included in the guidelines as an ingredient especially for space foods. These exo-polysaccharide beta glucans produced by unique strains of Aureobasidium Pullulans are food supplements and not a drug or remedy for any illness. Research outcomes are not to be construed as medical advice.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The parents of a U.S. college student who vanished almost two weeks ago in the resort town of Punta Cana have asked authorities to declare her legally dead.

In a letter to Dominican police dated Monday, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki state that after an extensive search, local authorities believe that Sudiksha, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh, drowned.

“Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence,” they wrote. “While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.”

A police official not authorized to speak about the case confirmed Tuesday that authorities received the letter.

Michael Chapman, sheriff of Loudoun County in Virginia, where the Konankis live, said in a statement Tuesday that officials have been working with Dominican authorities and continue to review evidence in the case.

“The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling,” he said. “Sudiksha’s family has expressed their belief that she drowned. While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible."

Sudiksha Konanki and five female friends had traveled to the Caribbean nation on March 3 for spring break. Police said she disappeared at a beach by her hotel before dawn on March 6.

Authorities have interviewed people who were with Konanki before she vanished, including Joshua Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud University in Minnesota.

Riibe has been detained by Dominican police and is believed to be the last person to see Konanki. He has not been named as a suspect.

Riibe appeared in court Tuesday afternoon following a request from his attorney that he be released. So many journalists showed up to cover the hearing that it was moved to a bigger courtroom.

Prosecutors told the judge that Riibe was not under arrest and that he was free to move around the hotel where he is staying. They said Riibe told them he lost his passport, although Riibe said in court that officials seized his passport and cell phone.

“I really want to be able to go home and talk to my family, give them hugs,” Riibe told the judge via a translator. “I understand that I’m here to help. I’ve done that. It’s been 10 days.”

The hearing stretched out for hours and was still ongoing as of Tuesday evening.

According to the transcript of an interview with prosecutors, reported by Dominican media as well as NBC and Telemundo, Riibe told police he was drinking with Konanki on the beach and they were kissing in the ocean when they got caught in a current. Riibe said he was a former lifeguard and helped bring her ashore.

He told investigators he vomited upon reaching the beach and that Konanki said she was going to fetch her things. When he looked up, she was gone. He said he was later surprised to hear of her disappearance.

In their letter, the Konankis wrote that “the individual” last seen with their daughter is cooperating and that no evidence of foul play has been found.

Sudiksha Konanki was born in India and later became a U.S. permanent resident.

Associated Press writer Dánica Coto in San Juan contributed.

FILE - Military personnel search for Sudiksha Konanki, a university student from the U.S. who disappeared on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Monday, March. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Francesco Spotorno, File)