Douwes J
Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington Campus, New Zealand.
Indoor Air. 2005 Jun;15(3):160-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2005.00333.x.
(1-->3)-Beta-D-glucan are non-allergenic structural cell wall components of most fungi that have been suggested to play a causal role in the development of respiratory symptoms associated with indoor fungal exposure. This review describes the currently available epidemiological literature on health effects of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, focusing on atopy, airway inflammation and symptoms, asthma, and lung function. In addition to population studies, studies in human volunteers experimentally exposed to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan are described as well as relevant animal studies. Furthermore, the review discusses exposure assessment methods, the potential for exposure control and it concludes with identifying research needs. The observational and experimental studies reviewed suggested some association between (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure, airway inflammation and symptoms, however, results were mixed and specific symptoms and potential underlying inflammatory mechanisms associated with exposure could not be identified. Large observational studies using well validated exposure assessment methods are needed to further our knowledge regarding the potential health effects of indoor (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure.
The currently available epidemiological data do not permit conclusions to be drawn regarding the presence (or absence) of an association between environmental (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure and specific adverse health effects, nor is it clear from the currently available evidence which specific immunological mechanisms underlie the presumed health effects. More and larger observational studies are needed to asses whether (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure plays a significant role in respiratory morbidity. In addition, existing methods to assess environmental (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure require validation and further development before they can be used routinely in large scale epidemiological studies.
（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖是大多数真菌的非致敏性结构细胞壁成分，有人认为它在与室内真菌暴露相关的呼吸道症状发展中起因果作用。本综述描述了目前关于（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖对健康影响的流行病学文献，重点关注特应性、气道炎症与症状、哮喘和肺功能。除了人群研究外，还描述了对人类志愿者进行（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖实验性暴露的研究以及相关动物研究。此外，本综述讨论了暴露评估方法、暴露控制的可能性，并以确定研究需求作为结论。所综述的观察性和实验性研究表明，（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖暴露、气道炎症与症状之间存在一些关联，然而，结果不一，无法确定与暴露相关的具体症状和潜在的炎症机制。需要开展使用经过充分验证的暴露评估方法的大型观察性研究，以进一步了解室内（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖暴露对健康的潜在影响。
目前可得的流行病学数据无法就环境（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖暴露与特定不良健康影响之间是否存在关联得出结论，而且从现有证据中也不清楚假定的健康影响背后具体的免疫机制是什么。需要进行越来越多的观察性研究，以评估（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖暴露在呼吸道疾病中是否起重要作用。此外，现有的评估环境（1→3）-β-D-葡聚糖暴露的方法在能够常规用于大规模流行病学研究之前，需要进行验证和进一步开发。
