Table 3. NK cell cytotoxicity values at baseline and follow-up.

	Placebo Group (n = 62)							Bio-Germanium Group (n = 66)
(%)	Baseline				Follow-up			Baseline				Follow-up			Pa	Pb	Pc
E:T = 50:1	49.44	±	25.53		46.01	±	24.57	43.27	±	8.44		55.87	±	27.85**	0.125	0.011
Δ			-3.44	±	27.01					12.60	±	32.91					0.007
E:T = 10:1	29.79	±	17.42		24.67	±	15.17*	23.33	±	20.54		33.52	±	17.50***	0.006	0.002
Δ			-5.12	±	18.30					10.19	±	23.88					<0.001
E:T = 5:1	20.65	±	13.66		14.06	±	10.05**	14.01	±	10.86		23.29	±	14.91***	0.003	<0.001
Δ			-6.59	±	16.27					9.28	±	16.49					<0.001
E:T = 2.5:1	14.05	±	16.19		9.20	±	8.82*	8.91	±	10.49		16.19	±	12.44***	0.020	<0.001
Δ			-4.86	±	18.23					7.27	±	15.28					<0.001

The data represent the mean ± standard deviation.

Δ represents the change from baseline at follow-up.

P^a-values were derived from the Wilcoxon rank-sum test at baseline between groups.

P^b-values were derived from the Wilcoxon rank-sum test at follow-up between groups.

P^c-values were derived from adjusted baseline ANCOVA for Δ between groups.

*P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001 values were derived from a paired t-test at follow-up from baseline within groups.