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Concept of Nutrition
Published in Anil Gupta, Biochemical Parameters and the Nutritional Status of Children, 2020
Non-starch polysaccharides occurring in natural foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are enriched with antioxidants. Their intake helps to reduce the level of pro-oxidants in body and minimize the risk for oxidative stress. These carbohydrates have a preventive role in the cause of coronary artery disease. Carbohydrates like beta-glucans have an important role in lowering the serum cholesterol level. These are beneficial in the management of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia, which are significant causal factors in the onset of coronary artery disease (FAO 2019).
Polysaccharide-Based Polymers in Cosmetics
Published in E. Desmond Goddard, James V. Gruber, Principles of Polymer Science and Technology in Cosmetics and Personal Care, 1999
E. Desmond Goddard, James V. Gruber
-glucan is a natural polysaccharide comprised of -glucose-repeating monosaccharides (Fig. 47) It is obtained from yeast fermentation extracts that have been used topically for years to improve the skin’s health. Beta-glucan stimulates the immune system and helps to heal wounded or irritated skin (202).
Macronutrients
Published in Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy, Food and Lifestyle in Health and Disease, 2022
Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy
Beta-glucans are polysaccharides of D-glucose monomers linked through beta-glycosidic bonds. Beta-glucan is a viscous, fermentable, soluble dietary fiber (DF), and abundantly found in the cell walls of three main natural sources: cereals (mainly oat and barley), yeast and mushrooms (17, 24–26). They are also present in bacteria, algae, and to a lesser extent, in rye and wheat. Depending on these three main sources, the chemical structure, molecular weight and biological effect of beta-glucans also vary. Beta-glucans from different sources have different molecular weights and chemical structures, therefore, they have different biological activities (24). Beta-glucan from mushrooms and yeasts consists of β-(1, 3) and β-(1, 6) linkages, while β-glucans derived from cereals are polysaccharides of glucose residues with β-(1, 3) and β-(1, 4) linkages. The extraction of β-glucan from oat and barley is more difficult and expensive than that obtained from baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mushroom, therefore most beta-glucans sold in the market as dietary supplements are originated from yeast (24–26). Other details concerning β-glucan obtained from yeasts and mushrooms are described in Chapter 7 of this book. Beta-glucan from cereals helps to lower cholesterol and blood glucose (24–25), while β-glucan from fungi has shown effectiveness as an immune system booster and an anti-tumor substance (26). Briefly, anti-hypercholesterolemia of beta-glucans is stronger in oat and barley than in yeasts and mushrooms, while their immunomodulation is stronger in yeasts and mushrooms than in cereals. Moreover, beta-glucans exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities including anti-tumor, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as prevention of cardiovascular diseases (24–26). On the basis of its effects on cholesterol and its nontoxicity, the Food and Drug Administration recommended a daily dose of at least 3g of β-glucan from natural oats to prevent hypercholesterolemia and other CVDs (20). The skin health promotion effects of natural β-glucan derived from cereals and microorganisms has been also reported in the literature (24).
Effects of β-glucan and Vitamin D Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2019
Josef Richter, Martina Závorková, Vaclav Vetvicka, Ivana Liehneová, Vlastimil Kral, Lucie Rajnohova Dobiasova
Beta-glucans are plant immunomodulators with clearly defined mechanisms of action. Being the only evolutionary fully conserved immunomodulator acting across the entire animal kingdom, beta-glucan is the most studied natural immunomodulator, with more than 20,000 published studies. Beta-glucan supplementation is based not only on established significant improvements of the immunological mechanisms but also mostly on the established positive effects of the psychological state (Richter, Kral, & Stiborova, 2015; Richter, Kral, & Vetvicka, 2016; Talbott & Talbott, 2012; Vetvicka & Vetvickova, 2016). This was clear in our patients after short-term supplementation. A moderate weight decrease represents a positive effect, which affects, among other factors, the mental state of patients. In addition, beta-glucan as a nutritional fiber has positive and preventive effects on metabolic syndrome (El Khoury et al., 2012; Galisteo et al., 2008). These effects are probably due to the changes of intestinal microbiota, which falls outside the scope of this report (Cloetens et al., 2012). Readers inquiring for more information on this subject should read a comprehensive report by (Wang et al., 2016).
Engineering polymeric nanocapsules for an efficient drainage and biodistribution in the lymphatic system
Published in Journal of Drug Targeting, 2019
Ana Sara Cordeiro, José Crecente-Campo, Belén L. Bouzo, Santiago F. González, María de la Fuente, María José Alonso
Subsequently, with the aim of producing NCs with distinct polymeric shells (and different surface charges), in addition to CS, we also used (i) polyarginine and (ii) carboxymethyl-β-glucan, as cationic and anionic polymers, respectively. These polymers were selected for their charge, but also because of their previously described role in the vaccination field. For example, polyarginine has been used with good results as an adjuvant against tumour antigens [58], and in a therapeutic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine that reached phase II clinical trials [59]. On the other hand, beta glucans – present in the cell wall of several pathogenic agents, such as bacteria and fungi – have also gained attention in this field. These polysaccharides are known to act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are recognised by the Dectin-1 receptor present in dendritic cells and macrophages, leading to the activation of these cells [60,61]. Studies with beta glucan particles obtained from the cell wall of Saccharomices cerevisae, and then loaded with model antigens, such as ovalbumin, showed the potential of these vehicles to induce robust T-cell immune responses and high antibody levels in mice [62,63].
Consumption of β-glucans to spice up T cell treatment of tumors: a review
Published in Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 2018
Priscilla de Graaff, Coen Govers, Harry J. Wichers, Reno Debets
Beta-glucans consist of polymeric D-glucose monomers with a backbone generally consisting of β-(1→3) bonds, and branched via β-(1→4) or β-(1→6) links. Beta-glucans are stable compounds found in cell walls of plants and micro-organisms that resist passage through the digestive tract. Figure 2 summarizes studies, often using fluorescently labelled β-glucans, that investigated intestinal uptake via epithelial cells and M cells, triggering of local CXCR3+ macrophages and CD103+ DCs, and activating effector NK and T cells in more distant lymphoid organs. Beta-glucans trigger innate immune cells via binding to PRRs, such as dectin-1, initiate type I IFNs and pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, and mediate the acquisition of T cell-recruiting and stimulating phenotypes.