Betafectin PGG-Glucan, a novel beta-(1,6) branched beta-(1,3) glucan purified from the cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been shown to synergize with myeloid growth factors in vitro and to enhance hematopoietic recovery in myelosuppressed mice and primates. Here we report that PGG-Glucan is also capable of mobilizing peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). PGG-Glucan (0.5 mg/kg to 1...

Using a silver-enhanced, gold-secondary antibody immuno-location approach, we investigated the mechan­ isms for the switch from {3-l,4to {3-l,3-glucan biosynthesis upon wounding. Antibodies against {3-l,4and {3-l ,3-glucan synthases were used to locate these synthascs before and after wounding of Mung bean (Vigna radiata val' Berken) hypocotyls. Within 5 min of wounding, {3-l,4-glucan synthases...

α-Glucan affects fungal cell-cell interactions and is important for the virulence of pathogenic fungi. Interfering with production of α-glucan could help to prevent fungal infection. In our previous study, we reported that an amylase-like protein, AmyD, could repress α-glucan accumulation in Aspergillus nidulans. However, the underlying molecular mechanism was not clear. Here, we examined the l...

We investigated the effects of β-glucan purified from Paenibacillus polymyxa JB115 on the viability and proliferation of splenocytes. Splenocytes play a critical role in host immunity. MTT assays and trypan blue exclusion tests revealed that β-glucan significantly promoted the viability and proliferation of splenocytes over a range of concentrations. However, there was no specific subset change...

Cereal β-glucan may be detrimental in pig production because of negative effects on nutrient digestibility, but they may act as functional ingredients by stimulating the intestinal microbiota. This study primarily aimed to investigate relations between dietary β-glucan and nutrient digestibility, intestinal fermentation, and manure NH3 emission in weaned, growing, and finishing pigs. Effects of...

β-1,3-Glucan and chitin are the most prominent polysaccharides of the fungal cell wall. Covalently linked, these polymers form a scaffold that determines the form and properties of vegetative and pathogenic hyphae. While the role of chitin in plant infection is well understood, the role of β-1,3-glucan is unknown. We functionally characterized the β-1,3-glucan synthase gene GLS1 of the maize (Z...

Glucan phosphate has been shown to enhance antimicrobial immunity in a variety of experimental models. However, the mechanisms by which glucans enhance resistance to infection remain largely unknown. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a key regulator of both innate and acquired immunity. Suppression of IFN-gamma production is a prominent feature of the altered immune response that follows major tr...

BACKGROUND Soluble fibers lower serum lipids, but are difficult to incorporate into products acceptable to consumers. We investigated the physiological effects of a concentrated oat beta-glucan on cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints in human subjects. We also compared the fermentability of concentrated oat beta-glucan with inulin and guar gum in a model intestinal fermentation system. METH...

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...

Introduction: The increasing consumption of high-fat and high-fructose foods contributes to the prevalence global obesity. Low-grade chronic inflammation in obesity is a significant risk factor for insulin resistance type 2 diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed determine effect β-(1,3)-D-glucan from oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) extract on rats fed with diet. Design Methods: This experi...