β-Glucans are soluble fibers with physiological functions, such as, interference with absorption of sugars and reduction of serum lipid levels. β-glucans are found in different species, such as, Rhynchelytrum repens, Lentinus edodes, Grifola frondosa, Tremella mesenterica, Tremella aurantia, Zea may, Agaricus blazei, Phellinus baummi, Saccharomyces cerevisae (yeast), and Agaricus blazei murell (mushroom). Analysis of the fractions reveals the presence of arabinose, glucose, xylose, and traces of rhamnose and galactose. The presence of β-glucan in these fractions is confirmed by hydrolyzing the polymers with endo-β-glucanase from Bacillus subtilis, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the characteristic oligosaccharides produced. The 4 M KOH fractions from different tissues are subjected to gel permeation chromatography on Sepharose 4B, with separation of polysaccharides, with different degrees of polymerization, the highest molecular mass (above 2000 kDa) being found in young leaves. The molecular mass of the leaf blade polymers is similar (250 kDa) to that of the maize coleoptiles β-glucan used for comparison. The 4 M KOH fraction injected into rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes has shown hypoglycemic activity, reducing blood sugar to normal levels for approximately 24 hours. This performance is better than that obtained with pure β-glucan from barley, which decreases blood sugar levels for about four hours. These results suggest that the activity of β-glucans is responsible for the use of this plant extract as a hypoglycemic drug in folk medicine.

Preparation, characterization, and biological properties of β-glucans

beta-Glucans are polymers of D-glucose which represent major structural components of fungal cell walls. It was shown previously that fungi interact with macrophages through beta-glucan receptors, thereby inducing release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Additional studies demonstrated that vitronectin, a host adhesive glycoprotein, binds to fungi and enhances macrophage recognition of these organisms. Since vitronectin contains a carbohydrate-binding region, we postulated that vitronectin binds fungal beta-glucans and subsequently augments macrophage TNF-alpha release in response to this fungal component. To study this, we first determined the release of TNF-alpha from alveolar macrophages stimulated with fungal beta-glucan. Maximal TNF-alpha release occurred with moderate concentrations of beta-glucan (100 to 200 micrograms/ml), whereas higher concentrations of beta-glucan (> or = 500 micrograms/ml) caused apparent suppression of the TNF-alpha activity released. This suppression of TNF-alpha activity by high concentrations of beta-glucan was mediated by the particulate beta-glucan binding soluble TNF-alpha, through the lectin-binding domain of the cytokine, rendering the TNF-alpha less available for measurement. Next, we assessed the interaction of vitronectin with beta-glucan. Binding of 125I-vitronectin to particulate fungal beta-glucan was dose dependent and specifically inhibitable by unlabeled vitronectin. Furthermore, treatment of beta-glucan with vitronectin substantially augmented macrophage TNF-alpha release in response to this fungal component. These findings demonstrate that fungal beta-glucan can directly modulate TNF-alpha release from macrophages. Further, these studies indicate that the host adhesive glycoprotein vitronectin specifically binds beta-glucan and augments macrophage cytokine release in response to this fungal element.

https://iai.asm.org/content/iai/64/9/3548.full.pdf

Fungal beta-glucan interacts with vitronectin and stimulates tumor necrosis factor alpha release from macrophages.

https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/32527/Ramos_FINAL_VERSION_Masters_Thesis.pdf?sequence=1

Use of amaranth, quinoa and kañiwa in extruded corn-based snacks

β-Glucans are glucose polymers that naturally occur in yeasts, molds, algae, mushrooms, bacteria, oats and barley. Immunostimulation is one of the most important properties of β-glucans. They are classified as biological response modifiers and because of their biological activities they can be used in human and veterinary medicine and pharmacy. Additionally, β-glucans show interesting physicochemical properties and therefore could be applied in food and feed production as well as in cosmetic and chemical industries. Immunomodulation by β-glucan, both in vitro and in vivo, inhibits cancer cell growth and metastasis and prevents or reduces bacterial infection. In humans, dietary β-glucan lowers blood cholesterol, improves glucose utilization by body cells and also helps wound healing. β-Glucans work, in part, by stimulating the innate immune mechanism to fight a range of foreign challenges and could be used as an adjuvant, in combination with anti infective or antineoplastic agents, radiotherapy, and a range of topical agents and nutrients. The structure of β-glucans depends on the source they are isolated from. Native β-glucan molecules can be linked and branched in several ways. Biological properties of different β-glucan molecules are dependent on their molecular structure. Some authors claim that the β-(1→3), (1→6)-glucan derived from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae produce the highest biological effects. Thus, in this review the β-glucans and their metabolic activity are discussed, with the special accent on those isolated from yeast. Other possible β-glucan applications, directed to cosmetic production, non-medical application in pharmaceutical and chemical industry, are also discussed.

/pdf/biological-effects-of-yeast-b-glucans-2iymr9vhyc.pdf

Biological effects of yeast β-glucans.

Freeze-dried samples of four Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, namely, FL01, FL03, 2.0016, and 2.1424, were subjected to spaceflight. After the satellite’s landing on Earth, the samples were recovered and changes in yeast cell wall were analyzed. Spaceflight strains of all S. cerevisiae strains showed significant changes in cell wall thickness (P < 0.05). One mutant of S. cerevisiae 2.0016 with increased biomass, cell wall thickness, and cell wall glucan was isolated (P < 0.05). The spaceflight mutant of S. cerevisiae 2.0016 showed 46.7%, 62.6%, and 146.0% increment in biomass, cell wall thickness and β-glucan content, respectively, when compared to the ground strain. Moreover, growth curve analysis showed spaceflight S. cerevisiae 2.0016 had a faster growth rate, shorter lag phase periods, higher final biomass, and higher content of β-glucan. Genetic stability analysis showed that prolonged subculturing of spaceflight strain S. cerevisiae 2.0016 did not lead to the appearance of variants, indicating that the genetic stability of S. cerevisiae 2.0016 mutant could be sufficient for its exploitation of β-glucan production.

I. M. Thompson

Papers

Immunochemotherapy of Bladder Carcinoma with Glucan and Cyclophosphamide