Physiological effects of different types of beta-glucan.

BACKGROUND

Numerous types of glucans have been isolated from almost every species of yeast, grain, and fungi. These products have been extensively studied for their immunological and pharmacological effects.

AIM

In this paper we evaluated the possibility whether individual glucans will be similarly active against each of the tested biological properties or if each glucan will affect different reactions.

METHODS

Immunological effects of glucans were measured by evaluation of phagocytosis of HEMA particles by peripheral blood leukocytes and production of IL-2 by mouse splenocytes. Next we measured the effects of long-term treatment with glucan on levels of blood glucose and blood cholesterol. Four different glucans differing in origin (yeast, grain and mushroom) were used.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the same glucan, yeast-derived insoluble #300 glucan, stimulated phagocytosis of peripheral blood leukocytes, production of IL-2 by mouse splenocytes, lowered the cholesterol levels in mice with experimentally-induced cholesterolemia and lowered the level of blood sugar after induced hyperglycaemie. The remainder of tested glucans were only marginally active.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our study showed that with respect to natural glucans, there is a yes-or-no effect suggesting that highly purified and highly active glucans will have pleiotropic impact, whereas poorly isolated and/or less active glucans will have only mediocre biological properties.