Beta Glucan

Presented by NITU JHA Guided by DR. M.G SARALAI

What are beta glucans?



Polysaccharides formed from linking many glucose molecules together (glycosidic linkages) Found in yeast, oats, barley, and mushrooms. Yeast and mushroom-derived beta glucans have the ability mushroomto boost our immune system Depending on the linkage, a glucan is either an alpha ( )-glucan or a beta ( )-glucan. -glucan ))exerts the primary effect on the immune system.

-glucan is a key component of the fungal cell wall. The basic subunit of wall. fungal -glucan is -D-glucose linked to one another by 1 3 glycosidic chain with 1 6 glycosidic branches. The length and branches of -glucan from various fungi are widely different.

BetaBeta-1,3/1,6 glucan


The most active form of beta-glucans are those betacomprised of D-glucose units attached to one Danother at the (1,3) position with side chains of D-glucose attached at the (1,6) position. They are referred to as beta-1,3/1,6 glucan. beta-

BetaBeta-1,3/1,6 glucan

Black yeast: Aureobasidium pullulans

(A. pullulans) pullulans)

Beta glucans and Immunity



BetaBeta-glucans found in bacterial or fungal cell walls have been shown to initiate anti-microbial immune antiresponse. Pattern recognition receptors detect non-self non(foreign) structures in our body such as microbes. -glucans are recognized by these receptors as nonnon-self, thereby initiating immune responses.

Studies Confirm Effectiveness



Hundreds of scientific studies have been performed both in vitro and in vivo by such prestigious institutions as Baylor Medical School, Tulane University, Harvard Medical School. All attest to the immuno-activating and immunoprotective effects of Beta-1,3/1,6-glucan. Beta-1,3/1,6-

Beta glucans and Immunity



Beta glucans are very powerful antagonists to both benign and malignant tumors. They are known as biological response modifiers because of their ability to activate the immune system. They act as powerful immune stimulators by activating macrophages and creating a positive immune action on B lymphocytes, natural killer cells and suppressor T cells. Research has shown that insoluble (1,3/1,6) glucan has greater biological activity than that of its soluble (1.3/1,4) -glucan counterparts.

Beta glucans and Immunity



Based on in vitro studies, beta-glucans act on several betaimmune receptors including Dectin-1, complement Dectinreceptor (CR3) and TLR-2/6 and trigger a group of TLRimmune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. Both innate and adaptive response are modulated by betabeta-glucans; they also enhance opsonic and nonnonopsonic phagocytosis. DectinDectin-1 has been shown to be the most important receptor in activating an immune response in macrophages

Mechanism of Action
binds to

Macrophage

Yeast Beta Glucan

Stimulates other components of the immune system e.g. T cells, TNF-E, IL-1, NK Cells, LAK

Activates the Macrophage

Uptake and actions of -glucan on immune cells

-glucans are captured by macrophages via Dectin-1 receptor. Large -glucan Dectinmolecules are fragmented into smaller fragments within macrophages, carried to marrow and ERS and released; taken up by circulating granulocytes, monocytes or macrophages via CR-3. The immune response is turned on, CRincluding phagocytosis of monoclonal antibody tagged tumor cells.

Beta glucans and Immunity



-glucans also enhance opsonic and nonnonopsonic phagocytosis.

NonNon-opsonic phagocytosis is mediated by cell surface receptors on leukocytes that recognize repeating CHO subunits (comprising molecular patterns) on microbes.  Opsonic phagocytosis is mediated by deposition of proteins (e.g., antibodies) on microbes that target them for recognition by specific phagocytic receptors on leukocytes.


Uses of beta glucans

Powerful antibiotic actions  Powerful anti-oxidant properties anti Promotes T-Cell activation T Stimulates new tissue growth for wound Healing  Reduces inflammation Of arthritis & inflammatory skin conditions  Increases number of immune system cells


Beta glucans - Clinical Uses

 

    

Cancer Infections from germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites) High cholesterol (hypercholesteremia) Diabetes Radiation exposure Wound healing Improve intestinal flora and digestion, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome

Beta glucan and cancer

  

NonNon-prescriptional use of medicinal herbs among cancer patients is common. AntiAnti-cancer effects of most herbal extracts mainly based on in vitro or in vivo animal studies. Current information suggests herbal extracts exert a biological effect either through cytotoxic or immunomodulatory mechanisms. One active compound responsible for the immune effects of herbal products is the complex polysaccharide known as beta-glucan. beta-

Beta glucans and Cancer

   

AntiAnti-tumor activity of beta glucans was first demonstrated over 50 years ago Beta glucans have been used as immunoadjuvant therapy for cancer since 1980, primarily in Japan. Numerous studies have demonstrated that beta glucans have anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity. antiantiMany animal experiments have shown the effects of fungal -glucans on different tumors. Several human clinical trials have also shown beneficial treatment benefits.

Beta glucans and Cancer

 

 

Beta glucans are anticancer and antitumor agents. As immunostimulators by activation of macrophages and NK cells prevent tumor metastasis. BetaBeta-Glucan is used as adjuvant treatment for cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Limitations of Current -glucan Research



   

No -glucan control standard with specific molecular weight and branches. Most publications used zymosan (mixture of chitosan, -glucans, and cell wall particles) Most -glucan-containing research based on extracts glucanrather than purified -glucans No well characterized method for assessing/ comparing -glucans from different sources Lack of translational approach to apply knowledge of receptor and signal pathways of -glucan to clinical trials Exact immunological actions and signaling pathway induced by -glucan need to be further defined