Abstract
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Highlights
Natural products, useful in treating or preventing various diseases, have been sought throughout the history of mankind
Useful in treating or preventing various diseases, have been sought throughout the history of mankind. Most of these natural products are plagued with a common problem, i.e., the fact that they often represent a complex mixture of individual ingredients each of which can contribute to their biological activity
Interest in the immunomodulatory properties of polysaccharides was initially raised after experiments showing that a crude yeast cell preparation stimulated macrophages via activation of the complement system[3]
Summary
Useful in treating or preventing various diseases, have been sought throughout the history of mankind. Most of these natural products are plagued with a common problem, i.e., the fact that they often represent a complex mixture of individual ingredients each of which can contribute to their biological activity. 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
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