Beneficial immune-modulatory effects of the N-163 strain of Aureobasidium pullulans-produced 1,3-1,6 Beta glucans in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Results of an open-label, prospective, exploratory case-control clinical study

•Clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of N-163 beta glucan in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).•After N-163 supplementation, there was decrease in inflammatory and fibrosis markers IL-6, IL-13 and TGF-β levels.•Dystrophin levels in plasma increased by up to 32% in the N-163 group.•Medical research council (MRC) grading showed muscle strength improvement in 67% of the patients.•N-163 beta 1,3-1,6 glucan food supplement is a potential disease-modifying adjunct treatment for DMD.