Supplementation with HE at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly inhibited stress-induced increases in IL-6 levels (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and treatment with HE at all doses drastically suppressed plasma TNF-α contents (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) as compared to the RS group. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is hereditary elliptocytosis.