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1.
A Quality-of-Life Study in Healthy Adults Supplemented with Lentinex® Beta-Glucan of Shiitake Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Lentinus edodes (Agaricomycetes).
Aldwinckle, J, Kristiansen, B
International journal of medicinal mushrooms. 2020;(5):407-415
Abstract
Lentinus edodes (=Lentinula edodes) is a culinary-medicinal mushroom with a long tradition of use in Asia. The major active substance in L. edodes is a beta-(1-3,1-6)-glucan (lentinan). GlycaNova produces Lentinex®, which contains this beta-glucan from L. edodes mycelia, in a proprietary process that maintains the triple helix molecular structure and high molecular weights. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Lentinex supplementation on the well-being of adults. We evaluated the effect of Lentinex in healthy adult subjects in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Sixty-three subjects, randomly allocated to two groups, took orally either 1-2 mL/day Lentinex (1-2 mg beta-glucan) or placebo for four weeks. The participants completed a well-being questionnaire prior to commencing supplementation and again at the end of the in-home study. The results showed an important and statistically significant improvement in well-being over the period in the treated group compared with the placebo group. The degree of improvement in the treated group, including relative to placebo, was higher for subjects who had lower initial well-being than for subjects with higher initial well-being. In conclusion, the lower an individual's initial well-being, the more Lentinex helped.
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2.
Fungal β-glucans and mannan stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells to cytokine production in Syk-dependent manner.
Kozłowska, E, Brzezińska-Błaszczyk, E, Rasmus, P, Żelechowska, P
Immunobiology. 2020;(5):151985
Abstract
There is evidence that major components of the fungi cell wall not only define fungal properties and survival but also are responsible for their biological activities. Some data indicate that structural components of the fungal cell wall exert stimulatory/modulatory effects on immunocompetent cells acting as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Fungal components can influence the activity of certain immune cell populations by affecting cell maturation and proliferation, promoting phagocytosis, cytotoxic activity, and cell migration, as well as production of various mediators. However, there is little information available concerning the impact of fungal-derived components on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) activation. The aim of this study was to determine whether certain fungi-associated molecules, i.e., β-(1,3)-glucans (zymosan and curdlan) and mannan activate in vitro human PBMCs to synthesize cytokines, including chemokines. We documented that PBMCs, in response to stimulation with zymosan, curdlan, and mannan, express cytokines IFN-γ and GM-CSF, and chemokine CCL3, both at protein and transcript levels, as well as cytokine IL-1β and chemokine CXCL8, at mRNA level. Our observations support the idea that fungal-derived components can activate immune cells, including PBMCs, by stimulation of cytokine/chemokine production. A thorough understanding of this interaction is of prime importance since it influence both pathophysiological and immune processes as well as anti-fungal defense mechanisms.
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3.
Candida albicans Beta-Glucan Induce Anti- Cancer Activity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Lung Cancer Cell Line: An In-Vitro Experimental Study.
Peymaeei, F, Sadeghi, F, Safari, E, Khorrami, S, Falahati, M, Roudbar Mohammadi, S, Roudbary, M
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. 2020;(3):837-843
Abstract
OBJECTIVE β-glucan, glucopyranosyl polymers of fungi cell wall, represent an immune stimulating effects with potential anti-cancer activity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have immunomodulating properties in cancer microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effect of Candida albicans (C. albicans) beta-glucan on MSCs supernatant for apoptosis assay of lung cancer cells in vitro. METHODS Beta-glucan was extracted from cell wall of C.albicans. MSC isolated from adipose tissue of patients and confirmed using specific surface markers expression which examined by flow cytometry. MSCs treated with various concentrations of β-glucans for 48 hours. Cytotoxic effect of β-glucans was evaluated using MTT assay. MSC and lung cancer line cocultured and treated with β-glucans and apoptosis assay was done by flow cytometry. RESULTS Cytotoxicity findings showed a significant decrease in MSC viability during 48h, however it was dose-dependent (P<0.05). According to the obtained findings, supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells treated with β-glucans increased cancer cells apoptosis (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Beta glucan may highlight a potential and novel promising candidate in future strategies to cause apoptosis of cancer cells and consider as therapeutic agent against tumor growth as well. Definitely, more in vitro and in vivo studies are required to understand its functions.
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4.
Effects of Dietary Fibres on Acute Indomethacin-Induced Intestinal Hyperpermeability in the Elderly: A Randomised Placebo Controlled Parallel Clinical Trial.
Ganda Mall, JP, Fart, F, Sabet, JA, Lindqvist, CM, Nestestog, R, Hegge, FT, Keita, ÅV, Brummer, RJ, Schoultz, I
Nutrients. 2020;(7)
Abstract
The effect of dietary fibres on intestinal barrier function has not been well studied, especially in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the potential of the dietary fibres oat β-glucan and wheat arabinoxylan to strengthen the intestinal barrier function and counteract acute non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin)-induced hyperpermeability in the elderly. A general population of elderly subjects (≥65 years, n = 49) was randomised to a daily supplementation (12g/day) of oat β-glucan, arabinoxylan or placebo (maltodextrin) for six weeks. The primary outcome was change in acute indomethacin-induced intestinal permeability from baseline, assessed by an in vivo multi-sugar permeability test. Secondary outcomes were changes from baseline in: gut microbiota composition, systemic inflammatory status and self-reported health. Despite a majority of the study population (85%) showing a habitual fibre intake below the recommendation, no significant effects on acute indomethacin-induced intestinal hyperpermeability in vivo or gut microbiota composition were observed after six weeks intervention with either dietary fibre, compared to placebo.
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5.
Detection of Beta-Glucan Contamination in Nanotechnology-Based Formulations.
Neun, BW, Cedrone, E, Potter, TM, Crist, RM, Dobrovolskaia, MA
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2020;(15)
Abstract
Understanding the potential contamination of pharmaceutical products with innate immunity modulating impurities (IIMIs) is essential for establishing their safety profiles. IIMIs are a large family of molecules with diverse compositions and structures that contribute to the immune-mediated adverse effects (IMAE) of drug products. Pyrogenicity (the ability to induce fever) and activation of innate immune responses underlying both acute toxicities (e.g., anaphylactoid reactions or pseudoallergy, cytokine storm) and long-term effects (e.g., immunogenicity) are among the IMAE commonly related to IIMI contamination. Endotoxins of gram-negative bacteria are the best-studied IIMIs in that both methodologies for and pitfalls in their detection and quantification are well established. Additionally, regulatory guidance documents and research papers from laboratories worldwide are available on endotoxins. However, less information is currently known about other IIMIs. Herein, we focus on one such IIMI, namely, beta-glucans, and review literature and discuss the experience of the Nanotechnology Characterization Lab (NCL) with the detection of beta-glucans in nanotechnology-based drug products.
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6.
Diagnostic accuracy of serum (1-3)-β-D-glucan for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Del Corpo, O, Butler-Laporte, G, Sheppard, DC, Cheng, MP, McDonald, EG, Lee, TC
Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2020;(9):1137-1143
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) can be a life-threatening opportunistic infection in immunocompromised hosts. The diagnosis can be challenging, often requiring semi-invasive respiratory sampling. The serum 1,3-β-D-glucan (BDG) assay has been proposed as a minimally invasive test for the presumptive diagnosis of PJP. METHOD We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis using articles in the English language published between January 1960 and September 2019. We estimated the pooled sensitivity and specificity of BDG testing using a bivariate random effects approach and compared test performance in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and non-HIV subgroups with meta-regression. Data from the pooled sensitivity and specificity were transformed to generate pre- and post-test probability curves. RESULTS Twenty-three studies were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of serum BDG testing for PJP were 91% (95%CI 87-94%) and 79% (95%CI 72-84%) respectively. The sensitivity in patients with HIV was better than in patients without (94%, 95%CI 91-96%) versus 86% (95%CI 78-91%) (p 0.02), with comparable specificity (83%, 95%CI 69-92% versus 83%, 95%CI 72-90%) (p 0.10). A negative BDG was only associated with a low post-test probability of PJP (≤5%) when the pre-test probability was low to intermediate (≤20% in non-HIV and ≤50% in HIV). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with a higher likelihood of PJP, the pooled sensitivity of BDG is insufficient to exclude infection. Similarly, for most cases, the pooled specificity is inadequate to diagnose PJP. Understanding the performance of BDG in the population being investigated is therefore essential to optimal clinical decision-making.
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7.
Global review of heart health claims for oat beta-glucan products.
Mathews, R, Kamil, A, Chu, Y
Nutrition reviews. 2020;(Suppl 1):78-97
Abstract
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death globally. Consumption of whole grains and cereal fiber, as part of a healthy diet, can lower the risk of CHD. Health claims on food products are effective in helping consumers select healthful diets. The US Food and Drug Administration was the first to approve a health claim, in 1997, between beta-glucan soluble fiber from whole oats, oat bran, and whole oat flour and reduced risk of CHD. Only a few countries have approved similar claims. Since 1997, a significant amount of additional evidence has been published on the relationship between oat beta-glucan and CHD. To assist other jurisdictions in potentially utilizing this claim, the full extent of data that supports this claim (ie, the evidence utilized by the US Food and Drug Administration to substantiate the claim, as well as the results of 49 clinical trials published since 1997) are reviewed here. The complexities involved in authoring evidence-based health claims, including the impact of processing on beta-glucan cholesterol-lowering efficacy in approving eligible beta-glucan products, are also discussed.
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8.
[Effectiveness of hydroxycinamates and beta-glucans as dietary tools against obesity and its associated dysfunctions, and their application as nutraceuticals].
García Cordero, J, Sarria Ruiz, B, González Rámila, S, Bravo Clemente, L, Mateos Briz, R
Nutricion hospitalaria. 2020;(5):1061-1071
Abstract
Over the last few years the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased, affecting in certain parts of the world more than half of the adult population. Obesity has been related to disorders such as type-2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular diseases, among others, which has made of obesity the second cause of preventable death, only behind smoking. Bearing this in mind, it is necessary to find new strategies to overcome overweight/obesity and its associated pathologies. In this context, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements have become interesting tools thanks to their composition, rich in bioactive compounds beneficial to health. Among bioactive compounds, this study will focus on β-glucans, a type of soluble dietary fiber, and hydroxycinnamic acids, a group of phenols. Both types of compounds show complex and multifactorial effects, acting as hypolipemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, prebiotic and satiating agents. They act by modulating different metabolic pathways, affecting the absorption and metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates, reducing oxidative damage, promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacterial species, and reducing dietary intake. It may be concluded that both beta-glucans and hydroxycinnamates have potential as a nutritional tool for the management of obesity and its associated metabolic dysfunctions.
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9.
A randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Medium-Term Effects of Oat Fibers on Human Health: The Beta-Glucan Effects on Lipid Profile, Glycemia and inTestinal Health (BELT) Study.
Cicero, AFG, Fogacci, F, Veronesi, M, Strocchi, E, Grandi, E, Rizzoli, E, Poli, A, Marangoni, F, Borghi, C
Nutrients. 2020;(3)
Abstract
The Beta-glucan Effects on Lipid profile, glycemia and inTestinal health (BELT) Study investigated the effect of 3 g/day oat beta-glucans on plasma lipids, fasting glucose and self-perceived intestinal well-being. The Study was an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over randomized clinical trial, enrolling a sample of 83 Italian free-living subjects, adherent to Mediterranean diet, with a moderate hypercholesterolemia and a low cardiovascular risk profile. Beta-glucans reduced mean LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels from baseline by 12.2% (95%CI: -15.4 to -3.8) after 4 weeks of supplementation and by 15.1% (95%CI: -17.8 to -5.9) after 8 weeks of supplementation (p < 0.01 for both comparison and versus placebo). Between baseline and 4 weeks Total Cholesterol (TC) levels showed an average reduction of 6.5% (95%CI: -10.9 to -1.9) in the beta-glucan sequence; while non-HDL-C plasma concentrations decreased by 11.8% (95%CI: -14.6 to -4.5). Moreover, after 8 weeks of beta-glucan supplementation TC was reduced by 8.9% (95%CI: -12.6 to -2.3) and non-HDL-C levels by 12.1% (95%CI: -15.6 to -5.3). Decreses in TC and non HDL-C were significant also versus placebo (respectively p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 to both follow-up visits). Fasting plasma glucose and self-perceived intestinal well-being were not affected by both beta-glucan and placebo supplementation.
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10.
Effects of Rich in Β-Glucans Edible Mushrooms on Aging Gut Microbiota Characteristics: An In Vitro Study.
Mitsou, EK, Saxami, G, Stamoulou, E, Kerezoudi, E, Terzi, E, Koutrotsios, G, Bekiaris, G, Zervakis, GI, Mountzouris, KC, Pletsa, V, et al
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2020;(12)
Abstract
Alterations of gut microbiota are evident during the aging process. Prebiotics may restore the gut microbial balance, with β-glucans emerging as prebiotic candidates. This study aimed to investigate the impact of edible mushrooms rich in β-glucans on the gut microbiota composition and metabolites by using in vitro static batch culture fermentations and fecal inocula from elderly donors (n = 8). Pleurotus ostreatus, P. eryngii, Hericium erinaceus and Cyclocybe cylindracea mushrooms derived from various substrates were examined. Gut microbiota composition (quantitative PCR (qPCR)) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs; gas chromatography (GC)) were determined during the 24-h fermentation. P. eryngii induced a strong lactogenic effect, while P. ostreatus and C. cylindracea induced a significant bifidogenic effect (p for all <0.05). Furthermore, P. eryngii produced on wheat straw and the prebiotic inulin had comparable Prebiotic Indexes, while P. eryngii produced on wheat straw/grape marc significantly increased the levels of tested butyrate producers. P. ostreatus, P. eryngii and C. cylindracea had similar trends in SCFA profile; H. erinaceus mushrooms were more diverse, especially in the production of propionate, butyrate and branched SCFAs. In conclusion, mushrooms rich in β-glucans may exert beneficial in vitro effects in gut microbiota and/or SCFAs production in elderly subjects.