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Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny 2019Recent studies have shown that naturally occurring substances found in the food of the daily human diet are important for preventing chronic non-communicable diseases.... (Review)
Review
Recent studies have shown that naturally occurring substances found in the food of the daily human diet are important for preventing chronic non-communicable diseases. One of them is beta-glucan, which is a natural polysaccharide, occurring in plant cell walls, mainly oats, barley and wheat. It is also present in baker’s yeast cells, fungal cell walls, and some microorganisms. Beta-glucan belongs to one of the dietary fiber fractions, which are attributed a number of beneficial health properties, including the prevention and treatment of certain digestive diseases and supporting the immune system. This compound has biological activity that depends on the size, molecular weight, conformation, frequency of bonds, solubility and changes in structure. Beta-glucan reduces cholesterol and glucose concentrations in the blood, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition to its effects on lipid levels and glucose metabolism, beta-glucan also exhibits antioxidant properties by scavenging reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing the risk of diseases, including atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Immunostimulatory and antitumor effects have also been reported. The immunostimulatory activity of beta-glucan occurs as a result of its attachment to specific receptors present on the immune cell surface. Beta-glucan belongs to the group of prebiotics which stimulate the growth and activity of the desired natural intestinal microbiota, while inhibiting the growth of pathogens. It plays an important role in the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and preventing inflammation as well as colon cancer. Such a number of health benefits resulting from the properties of beta-glucan may play a key role in improving health and preventing chronic non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Topics: Bacterial Infections; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dietary Fiber; Heart Diseases; Humans; Immune System; Insulin; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Reactive Oxygen Species; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 31960663
DOI: 10.32394/rpzh.2019.0082 -
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research Jan 2021The innate immune system responds in a rapid and non-specific manner against immunologic threats; inflammation is part of this response. This is followed by a slower but... (Review)
Review
The innate immune system responds in a rapid and non-specific manner against immunologic threats; inflammation is part of this response. This is followed by a slower but targeted and specific response termed the adaptive or acquired immune response. There is emerging evidence that dietary components, including yeast-derived β-glucans, can aid host defense against pathogens by modulating inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of neutrophils and macrophages. Innate immune training refers to a newly recognized phenomenon wherein compounds may "train" innate immune cells, such that monocyte and macrophage precursor biology is altered to mount a more effective immunological response. Although various human studies have been carried out, much uncertainty still exists and further studies are required to fully elucidate the relationship between β-glucan supplementation and human immune function. This review offers an up-to-date report on yeast-derived β-glucans as immunomodulators, including a brief overview of the current paradigm regarding the interaction of β-glucans with the immune system. The recent pre-clinical work that has partly decrypted mode of action and the newest evidence from human trials are also reviewed. According to pre-clinical studies, β-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from baker's yeast may offer increased immuno-surveillance, although the human evidence is weaker than that gained from pre-clinical studies.
Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Athletes; Glucans; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunologic Factors; Lectins, C-Type; Respiratory Tract Infections; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 32223047
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201901071 -
Nutrients Dec 2021Many articles and manuscripts focusing on the structure, function, mechanism of action, and effects of β-glucan have been published recently [...].
Many articles and manuscripts focusing on the structure, function, mechanism of action, and effects of β-glucan have been published recently [...].
Topics: Dietary Fiber; Food Analysis; Health Promotion; Humans; Nutritive Value; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 35010971
DOI: 10.3390/nu14010096 -
Journal of Nutritional Science and... 2018β-Glucans are a class of polysaccharides consisting of D-glucose units that are polymerized primarily via the β-1,3 glycosidic bonds, in addition to the β-1,4 and/or... (Review)
Review
β-Glucans are a class of polysaccharides consisting of D-glucose units that are polymerized primarily via the β-1,3 glycosidic bonds, in addition to the β-1,4 and/or β-1,6 bonds. They are present in various food products such as cereals, mushrooms, and seaweeds and are known for their numerous effects on the human body, depending on their structures, which are diverse. The major physicochemical properties of β-glucans include their antioxidant property, which is responsible for the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, and their role as dietary fiber for preventing the absorption of cholesterol, for promoting egestion, and for producing short-chain fatty acids in the intestine. Dietary β-glucans also exert immunostimulatory and antitumor effects by activation of cells of the mucosal immune system via β-glucan receptors, such as dectin-1. In this review, we elaborate upon the diversity of the structures and functions of β-glucans present in food, along with discussing their proposed mechanisms of action. In addition to the traditional β-glucan-containing foods, recent progress in the commercial mass cultivation and supply of an algal species, Euglena gracilis, as a food material is briefly described. Mass production has enabled consumption of paramylon, a Euglena-specific novel β-glucan source. The biological effects of paramylon are discussed and compared with those of other β-glucans.
Topics: Animals; Anticholesteremic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Chemical Phenomena; Euglena gracilis; Food Analysis; Glucans; Humans; Immunization; Reactive Oxygen Species; Th1 Cells; Th2 Cells; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 29491277
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.64.8 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2019Glucans are part of a group of biologically active natural molecules and are steadily gaining strong attention not only as an important food supplement, but also as an... (Review)
Review
Glucans are part of a group of biologically active natural molecules and are steadily gaining strong attention not only as an important food supplement, but also as an immunostimulant and potential drug. This paper represents an up-to-date review of glucans (β-1,3-glucans) and their role in various immune reactions and the treatment of cancer. With more than 80 clinical trials evaluating their biological effects, the question is not if glucans will move from food supplement to widely accepted drug, but how soon.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Agaricales; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Dietary Supplements; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Immune System; Nutritive Value; Signal Transduction; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 30935016
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071251 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022The C-type lectin receptor Dectin-1 was originally described as the β-glucan receptor expressed in myeloid cells, with crucial functions in antifungal responses.... (Review)
Review
The C-type lectin receptor Dectin-1 was originally described as the β-glucan receptor expressed in myeloid cells, with crucial functions in antifungal responses. However, over time, different ligands both of microbial-derived and endogenous origin have been shown to be recognized by Dectin-1. The outcomes of this recognition are diverse, including pro-inflammatory responses such as cytokine production, reactive oxygen species generation and phagocytosis. Nonetheless, tolerant responses have been also attributed to Dectin-1, depending on the specific ligand engaged. Dectin-1 recognition of their ligands triggers a plethora of downstream signaling pathways, with complex interrelationships. These signaling routes can be modulated by diverse factors such as phosphatases or tetraspanins, resulting either in pro-inflammatory or regulatory responses. Since its first depiction, Dectin-1 has recently gained a renewed attention due to its role in the induction of trained immunity. This process of long-term memory of innate immune cells can be triggered by β-glucans, and Dectin-1 is crucial for its initiation. The main signaling pathways involved in this process have been described, although the understanding of the above-mentioned complexity in the β-glucan-induced trained immunity is still scarce. In here, we have reviewed and updated all these factors related to the biology of Dectin-1, highlighting the gaps that deserve further research. We believe on the relevance to fully understand how this receptor works, and therefore, how we could harness it in different pathological conditions as diverse as fungal infections, autoimmunity, or cancer.
Topics: Lectins, C-Type; Ligands; Phagocytosis; Signal Transduction; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 35237264
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.812148 -
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry Nov 2018The β-glucans are the glucose polymers present in the cells walls of yeast, fungi and cereals. β-Glucans are the major compositions of various nutritional diets such... (Review)
Review
The β-glucans are the glucose polymers present in the cells walls of yeast, fungi and cereals. β-Glucans are the major compositions of various nutritional diets such as oats, barley, seaweeds and mushrooms. Various biological activities of β-glucans have been reported such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. The importance of β-glucans in food processing industries such as bread preparation, yogurt and pasta have been well elucidated. In recent findings on food science research gut microbiota plays a significant role and vastly studied for its intermediate role in regulating health. Several reports have suggested that β-glucans should have a significant impact on the gut microbiota changes and in turn on human health. The review was aimed to accumulate the evidence on types of β-glucans, their functional properties and the mechanism by how the β-glucans regulate the gut microbiota and human health. The various in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies, have been summarized, in particular, the changes happening upon the β-glucans supplementation on the gut microbiota. Overall, this review updates the recent studies on β-glucans and gut microbiota and also inputs the demanding questions to be addressed in β-glucans-microbiota research in the future.
Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Cardiotonic Agents; Colonic Neoplasms; Dietary Fiber; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Immunologic Factors; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 30196242
DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.06.010 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2019β-glucan is a non-starch soluble polysaccharide widely present in yeast, mushrooms, bacteria, algae, barley, and oat. β-Glucan is regarded as a functional food... (Review)
Review
β-glucan is a non-starch soluble polysaccharide widely present in yeast, mushrooms, bacteria, algae, barley, and oat. β-Glucan is regarded as a functional food ingredient due to its various health benefits. The high molecular weight (Mw) and high viscosity of β-glucan are responsible for its hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic properties. Thus, β-glucan is also used in the food industry for the production of functional food products. The inherent gel-forming property and high viscosity of β-glucan lead to the production of low-fat foods with improved textural properties. Various studies have reported the relationship between the molecular structure of β-glucan and its functionality. The structural characteristics of β-glucan, including specific glycosidic linkages, monosaccharide compositions, Mw, and chain conformation, were reported to affect its physiochemical and biological properties. Researchers have also reported some chemical, physical, and enzymatic treatments can successfully alter the molecular structure and functionalities of β-glucan. This review article attempts to review the available literature on the relationship of the molecular structure of β-glucan with its functionalities, and future perspectives in this area.
Topics: Food Additives; Pharmaceutic Aids; Viscosity; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 31426608
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20164032 -
Nature Immunology Feb 2023Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and myeloid cells are critical in the metastatic microenvironment. Here, we explore the implications of...
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and myeloid cells are critical in the metastatic microenvironment. Here, we explore the implications of reprogramming pre-metastatic niche myeloid cells by inducing trained immunity with whole beta-glucan particle (WGP). WGP-trained macrophages had increased responsiveness not only to lipopolysaccharide but also to tumor-derived factors. WGP in vivo treatment led to a trained immunity phenotype in lung interstitial macrophages, resulting in inhibition of tumor metastasis and survival prolongation in multiple mouse models of metastasis. WGP-induced trained immunity is mediated by the metabolite sphingosine-1-phosphate. Adoptive transfer of WGP-trained bone marrow-derived macrophages reduced tumor lung metastasis. Blockade of sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis and mitochondrial fission abrogated WGP-induced trained immunity and its inhibition of lung metastases. WGP also induced trained immunity in human monocytes, resulting in antitumor activity. Our study identifies the metabolic sphingolipid-mitochondrial fission pathway for WGP-induced trained immunity and control over metastasis.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Trained Immunity; Macrophages; Lysophospholipids; Monocytes; Lung Neoplasms; beta-Glucans; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 36604547
DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01388-8 -
Nutrients Aug 2021The prevalence of gastritis in humans is constantly growing and a prediction of an increase in this health problem is observed in many countries. For this reason,... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The prevalence of gastritis in humans is constantly growing and a prediction of an increase in this health problem is observed in many countries. For this reason, effective dietary therapies are sought that can alleviate the course of this disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of chemically pure oat beta-glucan preparations with different molar masses, low or high, used for 30 days in patients with histologically diagnosed chronic gastritis. The study enrolled 48 people of both genders of different ages recruited from 129 patients with a gastritis diagnosis. Before and after the therapy, hematological, biochemical, immunological and redox balance parameters were determined in the blood and the number of lactic acid bacteria and SCFA concentrations in the feces. Our results demonstrated a beneficial effect of oat beta-glucans with high molar mass in chronic gastritis in humans, resulting in reduced mucosal damage and healthy changes in SCFA fecal concentration and peripheral blood serum glutathione metabolism and antioxidant defense parameters. This fraction of a highly purified oat beta-glucan is safe for humans. Its action is effective after 30 days of use, which sheds new light on the nutritional treatment of chronic gastritis.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Avena; Chronic Disease; Double-Blind Method; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Feces; Female; Gastritis; Humans; Lactobacillales; Male; Middle Aged; Osmolar Concentration; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 34444949
DOI: 10.3390/nu13082791