β-(1,3)-Glucan is present in mould cell walls and frequently detected in house dust mite (HDM) faeces. β-Glucan exposure is thought to be associated with pulmonary allergic inflammation in mouse and man, although the published data are inconsistent. Here, we show that highly purified β-glucan exacerbates HDM-induced eosinophilic, T helper 2 type airway responses by acting as an adjuvant, promot...

Food products incorporated with soluble dietary fiber beta-glucan have shown varying effects on postprandial glycemia. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that a food product fortified with barley beta-glucan and subjected to minimum processing and mild cooking might be effective in lowering glycemic response. In a randomized, single-blind, controlled crossover trial, ...

Six sites of 2-deoxyglucose (2DG)-induced lysis on three yeasts (Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Pichia farinosa, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) coincided with the regions of growth of their glucan layers. Identification of the glucan layer as the site of lysis suggests a mechanism of attack by 2DG or by its derivatives. It is proposed that the glucan layer grows by addition of glucose into internal ...

The mushroom cell wall contains polysaccharides that can activate cells of the innate immune system through receptors such as Toll-like (TLR) and dectin-1. In present study, Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharide fractions containing a 3-O methylated mannogalactan (1?3)/(1?6)-?-d-glucans were isolated extensively characterized by 2D NMR methylation analysis. Traces (1?3)-?-d-glucan (1?2)-?-d-mannan a...

Glucans are present in fungi, plants, algae, and bacteria. β-Glucan, one of the major cell wall components of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been found to enhance immune functions. Glucans are glucose polymers with an α- or β-type glycosidic chain. The role of (1→3)-β-D-glucan is in the maintenance of yeast cell wall shape and rigidity. Studies reveal that soluble glucans can lower total cholest...

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a foremost antioxidant enzyme, plays a key role in angiogenesis. Barley-derived (1.3) β-d-glucan (β-d-glucan) is a natural water-soluble polysaccharide with antioxidant properties. To explore the effects of β-d-glucan on MnSOD-related angiogenesis under oxidative stress, we tested epigenetic mechanisms underlying modulation of MnSOD level in human umbilic...

The effect of extracellular beta-(1-->3), (1-->6)-glucan, produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa JB115, on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages was investigated. beta-glucan induced the production of NO by RAW264.7 macrophages in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, beta-glucan stimulation increased the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2 and IL-6 in RAW264.7 macrophages...

A reliable method to determine cell wall polysaccharides composition in yeast is presented, which combines acid and enzymatic hydrolysis. Sulphuric acid treatment is used to determine mannans, whereas specific hydrolytic enzymes are employed in a two sequential steps to quantify chitin and the proportion of β-(1,3) and β-(1,6)-glucan in the total β-glucan of the cell wall. In the first step, ch...

A receptor for beta-glucan was in the present study shown to mediate binding of zymosan particles to resident mouse peritoneal macrophages. Lysosomal enzyme secretion in response to zymosan was maximal at a low particle/cell ratio, continuous for at least 3 h after particle/cell contact and inhibitable by soluble glucan. Latex particles of various size caused no selective secretory response, bu...

Glucans are immunomodulatory carbohydrates found in the cell walls of fungi and certain bacteria. We examined the pharmacokinetics of three water-soluble glucans (glucan phosphate, laminarin, and scleroglucan) after oral administration of 1 mg/kg doses in rats. Maximum plasma concentrations for glucan phosphate occurred at 4 h. In contrast, laminarin and scleroglucan showed two plasma peaks bet...