Preparation of a Novel Oat ß-Glucan-Chromium(III) Complex and Its Hypoglycemic Effect and Mechanism.

This study synthesized a novel oat ß-glucan (OBG)-Cr(III) complex (OBG-Cr(III)) and explored its structure, inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and hypoglycemic activities and mechanism in vitro using an insulin-resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2) cell model. The Cr(III) content in the complex was found to be 10.87%. The molecular weight of OBG-Cr(III) was determined to be 7.736 × 104 Da with chromium ions binding to the hydroxyl groups of OBG. This binding resulted in the increased asymmetry and altered spatial conformation of the complex along with significant changes in morphology and crystallinity. Our findings demonstrated that OBG-Cr(III) exhibited inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Furthermore, OBG-Cr(III) enhanced the insulin sensitivity of IR-HepG2 cells, promoting glucose uptake and metabolism more efficiently than OBG alone. The underlying mechanism of its hypoglycemic effect involved the modulation of the c-Cbl/PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 signaling pathway, as revealed by Western blot analysis. This research not only broadened the applications of OBG but also positioned OBG-Cr(III) as a promising Cr(III) supplement with enhanced hypoglycemic benefits.

Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer ß-1,3-Glucanoligosaccharide (Ps-GOS) Suppresses RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation and Function in Pre-Osteoclastic RAW 264.7 Cells by Inhibiting the RANK/NFκB/cFOS/NFATc1 Signalling Pathway.

Edible grey oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sajor-caju, ß (1,3), (1,6) glucan possesses a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammation, anti-microorganism and antioxidant. However, its biological activity is limited by low water solubility resulting from its high molecular weight. Our previous study demonstrated that enzymatic hydrolysis of grey oyster mushroom ß-glucan using Hevea ß-1,3-glucanase isozymes obtains a lower molecular weight and higher water solubility, Pleurotus sajor-caju glucanoligosaccharide (Ps-GOS). Additionally, Ps-GOS potentially reduces osteoporosis by enhancing osteoblast-bone formation, whereas its effect on osteoclast-bone resorption remains unknown. Therefore, our study investigated the modulatory activities and underlying mechanism of Ps-GOS on Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) -induced osteoclastogenesis in pre-osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells. Cell cytotoxicity of Ps-GOS on RAW 264.7 cells was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and its effect on osteoclast differentiation was determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Additionally, its effect on osteoclast bone-resorptive ability was detected by pit formation assay. The osteoclastogenic-related factors were assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot and immunofluorescence. The results revealed that Ps-GOS was non-toxic and significantly suppressed the formation of mature osteoclast multinucleated cells and their resorption activity by reducing the number of TRAP-positive cells and pit formation areas in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, Ps-GOS attenuated the nuclear factor kappa light chain-enhancer of activated B cells' P65 (NFκB-P65) expression and their subsequent master osteoclast modulators, including nuclear factor of activated T cell c1 (NFATc1) and Fos proto-oncogene (cFOS) via the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, Ps-GOS markedly inhibited RANK expression, which serves as an initial transmitter of many osteoclastogenesis-related cascades and inhibited proteolytic enzymes, including TRAP, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and cathepsin K (CTK). These findings indicate that Ps-GOS could potentially be beneficial as an effective natural agent for bone metabolic disease.

Black Trumpet [Craterellus cornucopioides (L.) Pers.]-Bioactive Properties and Prospects for Application in Medicine and Production of Health-Promoting Food.

Black trumpet (Craterellus cornucopioides) is a mushroom present in many countries but underestimated. The aim of this publication is to present the latest state of knowledge about the chemical composition and bioactivity of C. cornucopioides and the possibility of its application in food. According to researchers, black trumpet is very rich in nutritional compounds, including unsaturated fatty acids (mainly oleic and linoleic acids), ß-glucans, minerals, and vitamins as well as polyphenols and tannins. It also contains compounds influencing the sensory properties, like free amino acids and nucleotides as well as sugars and polyols, mainly mannitol. Many of the described components show high nutritional and bioactive properties. Therefore, C. cornucopioides shows antioxidant activity and immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects as well as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antihyperglycemic effects. This makes black trumpet, also called horn of plenty, a mushroom with great potential for use both in medicine and directly in food. So far, black trumpet is not widely used in food, especially processed food. There are only a few studies on the use of dried black trumpet in sausages, but there is great potential for its use in food.

Oat Beta-Glucan as a Metabolic Regulator in Early Stage of Colorectal Cancer-A Model Study on Azoxymethane-Treated Rats.

Factors that reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer include biologically active substances. In our previous research, we demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects of oat beta-glucans in gastrointestinal disease models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week consumption of a diet supplemented with low-molar-mass oat beta-glucan in two doses on the antioxidant potential, inflammatory parameters, and colonic metabolomic profile in azoxymethane(AOM)-induced early-stage colorectal cancer in the large intestine wall of rats. The results showed a statistically significant effect of AOM leading to the development of neoplastic changes in the colon. Consumption of beta-glucans induced changes in colonic antioxidant potential parameters, including an increase in total antioxidant status, a decrease in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and a reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration. In addition, beta-glucans decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-12) and C-reactive protein (CRP) while increasing the concentration of IL-10. Metabolomic studies confirmed the efficacy of oat beta-glucans in the AOM-induced early-stage colon cancer model by increasing the levels of metabolites involved in metabolic pathways, such as amino acids, purine, biotin, and folate. In conclusion, these results suggest a wide range of mechanisms involved in altering colonic metabolism during the early stage of carcinogenesis and a strong influence of low-molar-mass oat beta-glucan, administered as dietary supplement, in modulating these mechanisms.

Maitake Beta-Glucan Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of Trastuzumab via Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity and Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity.

Trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, is the mainstay treatment for of HER2-positive breast cancer. However, trastuzumab resistance is often observed during treatment. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are needed to enhance the clinical benefits of trastuzumab. Maitake ß-glucan MD-Fraction, isolated from Grifola frondosa, inhibits tumor growth by enhancing immune responses. In this study, we examined the effect of MD-Fraction on trastuzumab treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. MD-Fraction did not directly inhibit the survival of HER2-positive breast cancer cells, alone or in the presence of trastuzumab in vitro. In HER2-positive xenograft models, the combination of MD-Fraction and trastuzumab was more effective than trastuzumab alone. Peripheral blood lymphocytes and splenic natural killer cells isolated from BALB/c nu/nu mice treated with MD-Fraction showed enhanced trastuzumab-induced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) ex vivo. MD-Fraction-treated macrophages and neutrophils did not show enhanced trastuzumab cytotoxicity in the presence of heat-inactivated serum, but they showed enhanced cytotoxicity in the presence of native serum. These results suggest that MD-Fraction-treated macrophages and neutrophils enhance trastuzumab-induced complement-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (CDCC). Treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer cells with MD-Fraction in the presence of trastuzumab and native serum increased C3a release and tumor cell lysis in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that MD-Fraction enhanced trastuzumab-induced complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) by activating the complement system. This study demonstrates that the combination of trastuzumab and MD-Fraction exerts a greater antitumor effect than trastuzumab alone by enhancing ADCC, CDCC, and CDC in HER2-positive breast cancer.

M1 macrophages polarized by crude polysaccharides isolated from Auricularia polytricha exhibit anti-tumor effect on human breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer has been reported to correlate with the infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) or M2-like macrophages in tumor microenvironment (TME) that could promote breast cancer progression. In contrast, M1-like macrophages displayed anti-tumor activity toward cancer. This study was focused on Auricularia polytricha (AP), a cloud ear mushroom, which has been reported for anti-tumor activity and immunomodulation. AP extracts were screened on differentiated THP-1 macrophages (M0). Results demonstrated that water extract (APW) and crude polysaccharides (APW-CP) could upregulate M1-related genes and cytokines production (IL-6, IL-1 ß and TNF-α) significantly. Moreover, APW and APW-CP showed a high expression of CD86 (M1 marker) compared to M0. The NF-κB signaling pathway is crucial for pro-inflammatory gene regulation. The APW and APW-CP treatment showed the induction of the NF-κB pathway in a dose-dependent manner, which related to the ß-glucan content in the extracts. Furthermore, APW-CP polarized macrophages were investigated for anti-tumor activity on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). Results showed that APW-CP could inhibit the invasion of breast cancer cells and induce apoptosis. Therefore, M1 macrophages polarized by APW-CP showed anti-tumor activity against the breast cancer cells and ß-glucan may be the potential M1-phenotype inducer.

Consumption of Feed Supplemented with Oat Beta-Glucan as a Chemopreventive Agent against Colon Cancerogenesis in Rats.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for 30% of all cancer cases worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. CRC develops over a long period of time, and in the early stages, pathological changes can be mitigated through nutritional interventions using bioactive plant compounds. Our study aims to determine the effect of highly purified oat beta-glucan on an animal CRC model. The study was performed on forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats with azoxymethane-induced early-stage CRC, which consumed feed containing 1% or 3% low molar mass oat beta-glucan (OBG) for 8 weeks. In the large intestine, morphological changes, CRC signaling pathway genes (RT-PCR), and proteins (Western blot, immunohistochemistry) expression were analyzed. Whole blood hematology and blood redox status were also performed. Results indicated that the histologically confirmed CRC condition led to a downregulation of the WNT/ß-catenin pathway, along with alterations in oncogenic and tumor suppressor gene expression. However, OBG significantly modulated these effects, with the 3% OBG showing a more pronounced impact. Furthermore, CRC rats exhibited elevated levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in the blood, along with decreased white blood cell and lymphocyte counts. Consumption of OBG at any dose normalized these parameters. The minimal effect of OBG in the physiological intestine and the high activity in the pathological condition suggest that OBG is both safe and effective in early-stage CRC.

Design and fabrication of functionalized curdlan-curcumin delivery system to facilitate the therapeutic effects of curcumin on breast cancer.

We developed a facile method for the fabrication of a biodegradable delivery system composed of two blocks: curdlan and curcumin. This was achieved by chemical functionalization of curdlan through tosylation, amination followed by complexation with curcumin. A comprehensive evaluation of structural characterization and component stability showed that cur-cum complex exhibited better anticancer properties with enhanced thermal properties. The cur-cum complex shows pH sensitive sustained release behaviour with higher release at acidic pH and kinetic data of drug release follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The cur-cum complex has ability to block the proliferation of the MCF-7 cell line as revealed by MTT assay which showed increased toxicity of cur-cum complex against these cell lines. The results obtained from western blot analysis demonstrated that the co-administration of cur and cum effectively induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. This effect was observed by a considerable upregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a decline in mRNA expression of LDHA, level of lactate and LDH activity. The results clearly depict the role of functionalized curdlan as efficient carrier for curcumin delivery with prolonged, sustained release and enhanced bioavailability, thereby improving the overall anticancer activity.

Curdlan-polyphenol complexes prepared by pH-driven effectively enhanced their physicochemical stability, antioxidant and prebiotic activities.

In this study, the curdlan-polyphenol complexes were constructed by a pH-driven method. The interaction between curdlan and various hydrophobic polyphenols (curcumin, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid) was investigated. Curdlan could self-assemble into particles for loading polyphenols through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The three polyphenols were embedded in curdlan in an amorphous state. The curdlan-curcumin complex showed the lowest viscoelasticity but exhibited the highest curcumin loading ability (34.04 ± 1.73 mg/g). However, the curdlan-chlorogenic acid complex emerged the opposite trend, indicating that the loading capacity was associated with the hydrophobicity of polyphenols. The antioxidant activity of curdlan significantly increased after combining with polyphenols, which could be maintained during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. In particular, the curdlan-quercetin complex exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and short-chain fatty acid concentration, which could influence gut microbiota composition by promoting the proliferation of Prevotella and inhibiting the growth of Escherichia_Shigella. In conclusion, the curdlan-polyphenol complexes prepared by an alcohol-free pH-driven method could effectively enhance the gastrointestinal stability of polyphenols as well as increase the antioxidant and prebiotic activities of curdlan, which could be applied as a functional ingredient to improve gut health.

Caffeic acid combined with arabinoxylan or ß-glucan attenuates diet-induced obesity in mice via modulation of gut microbiota and metabolites.

Polyphenols and dietary fibers in whole grains are important bioactive compounds to reduce risks for obesity. However, whether the combination of the two components exhibits a stronger anti-obesity effect remains unclear. Caffeic acid is a major phenolic acid in cereals, and arabinoxylan and ß-glucan are biological macromolecules with numerous health benefits. Here, we investigated the effect of caffeic acid combined with arabinoxylan or ß-glucan on glucose and lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, and metabolites in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Caffeic acid combined with arabinoxylan or ß-glucan significantly reduced the body weight, blood glucose, and serum free fatty acid concentrations. Caffeic acid combined with ß-glucan effectively decreased serum total cholesterol levels and hepatic lipid accumulation, modulated oxidative and inflammatory stress, and improved gut barrier function. Compared with arabinoxylan, ß-glucan, and caffeic acid alone, caffeic acid combined with arabinoxylan or ß-glucan exhibited a better capacity to modulate gut microbiota, including increased microbial diversity, reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and increased abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, caffeic acid combined with ß-glucan reversed HFD-induced changes in microbiota-derived metabolites involving tryptophan, purine, and bile acid metabolism. Thus, caffeic acid and ß-glucan had a synergistic anti-obesity effect by regulating specific gut microbiota and metabolites.

Heat-Killed Saccharomyces boulardii Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Restoring the Intestinal Barrier, Reducing Inflammation, and Modulating the Gut Microbiota.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a global intestinal disease, and conventional therapeutic drugs often fail to meet the needs of patients. There is an urgent need to find efficient and affordable novel biological therapies. Saccharomyces boulardii has been widely used in food and pharmaceutical research due to its anti-inflammatory properties and gut health benefits. However, there is still a relatively limited comparison and evaluation of different forms of S. boulardii treatment for UC. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of S. boulardii, heat-killed S. boulardii, and S. boulardii ß-glucan on UC, to explore the potential of heat-killed S. boulardii as a new biological therapy. The results demonstrate that all three treatments were able to restore body weight, reduce the disease activity index (DAI), inhibit splenomegaly, shorten colon length, and alleviate histopathological damage to colonic epithelial tissues in DSS-induced colitis mice. The oral administration of S. boulardii, heat-killed S. boulardii, and S. boulardii ß-glucan also increased the levels of tight junction proteins (Occludin and ZO-1), decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) in the serum, and suppressed the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 mRNA in the colon. In particular, in terms of gut microbiota, S. boulardii, heat-killed S. boulardii, and S. boulardii ß-glucan exhibited varying degrees of modulation on DSS-induced dysbiosis. Among them, heat-killed S. boulardii maximally restored the composition, structure, and functionality of the intestinal microbiota to normal levels. In conclusion, heat-killed S. boulardii showed greater advantages over S. boulardii and S. boulardii ß-glucan in the treatment of intestinal diseases, and it holds promise as an effective novel biological therapy for UC. This study is of great importance in improving the quality of life for UC patients and reducing the burden of the disease.

ß-Glucan ameliorates cisplatin-induced oxidative and histological damage in kidney and liver of rats.

We investigated the effects of ß-glucan (ßg) on kidney and liver damage caused by cisplatin (CP), an antineoplastic agent widely used to treat many types of cancer, in a rat model. The side effects of CP in many tissues and organs limit its usage. ßg is a natural polysaccharide that is an effective free radical scavenger. A total of 28 rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 was a non-intervention control, only feed and water were given. Group 2 was administered 7 mg/kg CP in a single dose. Group 3 was administered 50 mg/kg ßg orally for 14 days. Group 4 was administered ßg for 14 days, following a single dose of CP. At the end of the experiment, kidney and liver tissues were evaluated biochemically and histopathologically. Increased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels, as well as decreased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as histological damage, were noted in both the kidney and liver tissues of the CP group. However, ßg treatment prevented the oxidative and histopathological effects of CP. The study demonstrates the protective efficacy of ßg against CP-induced kidney and liver damage through the effect of its antioxidant properties.

Role of beta-(1→3)(1→6)-D-glucan derived from yeast on natural killer (NK) cells and breast cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D cultures.

BACKGROUND: Beta-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucan is a complex polysaccharide, which is found in the cell wall of various fungi, yeasts, bacteria, algae, barley, and oats and has immunomodulatory, anticancer and antiviral effects. In the present study, we investigated the effect of beta-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucan derived from yeast on the proliferation of primary NK cells and breast cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D models, and on the cytotoxicity of primary NK cells against breast cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D models. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of yeast-derived beta-(1→3)(1→6)-D-glucan on the proliferation and cytotoxicity of human NK cells and breast cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D models using the XTT cell proliferation assay and the CellTiter-Glo® 2.0 assay to determine the cytotoxicity of human NK cells on breast cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D models. RESULTS: We found that the co-incubation of NK cells with beta-glucan in the absence of IL2 at 48 h significantly increased the proliferation of NK cells, whereas the co-incubation of NK cells with beta-glucan in the presence of IL2 (70 U/ml) increased the proliferation of NK cells but not significantly. Moreover, beta-glucan significantly inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines in 2D model and induced a weak, non-significant growth inhibitory effect on breast cancer multicellular tumor spheroids (3D). In addition, the cytotoxicity of NK cells against breast cancer cell lines was examined in 2D and 3D models, and beta-glucan significantly increased the cytotoxicity of NK cells against MCF-7 (in 2D). CONCLUSIONS: Yeast derived beta-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucan could contribute to the treatment of cancer by enhancing NK cell immune response as well as contributing to inhibition of breast cancer cell growth.

Potent induction of trained immunity by Saccharomyces cerevisiae ß-glucans.

Candida albicans cell wall component ß-glucan has been extensively studied for its ability to induce epigenetic and functional reprogramming of innate immune cells, a process termed trained immunity. We show that a high-complexity blend of two individual ß-glucans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses strong bioactivity, resulting in an enhanced trained innate immune response by human primary monocytes. The training required the Dectin-1/CR3, TLR4, and MMR receptors, as well as the Raf-1, Syk, and PI3K downstream signaling molecules. By activating multiple receptors and downstream signaling pathways, the components of this ß-glucan preparation are able to act synergistically, causing a robust secondary response upon an unrelated challenge. In in-vivo murine models of melanoma and bladder cell carcinoma, pre-treatment of mice with the ß-glucan preparation led to a significant reduction in tumor growth. These insights may aid in the development of future therapies based on ß-glucan structures that induce an effective trained immunity response.

Physical impediment to sodium houttuyfonate conversely reinforces ß-glucan exposure stimulated innate immune response to Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is a dimorphic opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. We have previously demonstrated that sodium houttuyfonate (SH), a derivative of medicinal herb Houttuynia cordata Thunb, was effective for antifungal purposes. However, the physical impediment of SH by C. albicans ß-glucan may weaken the antifungal activity of SH. In this study, the interactions of SH with cell wall (CW), extracellular matrix (EM), CW ß-glucan, and a commercial ß-glucan zymosan A (ZY) were inspected by XTT assay and total plate count in a standard reference C. albicans SC5314 as well as two clinical fluconazole-resistant strains Z4935 and Z5172. After treatment with SH, the content and exposure of CW ß-glucan, chitin, and mannan were detected, the fungal clearance by phagocytosis of RAW264.7 and THP-1 was examined, and the gene expressions and levels of cytokines TNF-ɑ and IL-10 were also monitored. The results showed that SH could be physically impeded by ß-glucan in CW, EM, and ZY. This impediment subsequently triggered the exposure of CW ß-glucan and chitin with mannan masked in a time-dependent manner. SH-induced ß-glucan exposure could significantly enhance the phagocytosis and inhibit the growth of C. albicans. Meanwhile, the SH-pretreated fungal cells could greatly stimulate the cytokine gene expressions and levels of TNF-ɑ and IL-10 in the macrophages. In sum, the strategy that the instant physical impediment of C. albicans CW to SH, which can induce the exposure of CW ß-glucan may be universal for C. albicans in response to physical deterrent by antifungal drugs.

Innate Immune Training Initiates Efferocytosis to Protect against Lung Injury.

Innate immune training involves myelopoiesis, dynamic gene modulation, and functional reprogramming of myeloid cells in response to secondary heterologous challenges. The present study evaluates whether systemic innate immune training can protect tissues from local injury. Systemic pretreatment of mice with ß-glucan, a trained immunity agonist, reduces the mortality rate of mice with bleomycin-induced lung injury and fibrosis, as well as decreasing collagen deposition in the lungs. ß-Glucan pretreatment induces neutrophil accumulation in the lungs and enhances efferocytosis. Training of mice with ß-glucan results in histone modification in both alveolar macrophages (AMs) and neighboring lung epithelial cells. Training also increases the production of RvD1 and soluble mediators by AMs and efferocytes. Efferocytosis increases trained immunity in AMs by stimulating RvD1 release, thus inducing SIRT1 expression in neighboring lung epithelial cells. Elevated epithelial SIRT1 expression is associated with decreased epithelial cell apoptosis after lung injury, attenuating tissue damage. Further, neutrophil depletion dampens the effects of ß-glucan on macrophage accumulation, epigenetic modification in lung macrophages, epithelial SIRT1 expression, and injury-mediated fibrosis in the lung. These findings provide mechanistic insights into innate immune training and clues to the potential ability of centrally trained immunity to protect peripheral organs against injury-mediated disorders.

Higher intake of ß-glucan impairs reproduction in a female teleost, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822).

Although the immuno-modulatory and stress-relieving properties of ß-glucan is well elucidated in humans and other animal models, including fish, its role as a dietary supplement on reproduction is extremely scarce. Therefore, in this study, adult female fish were fed one of four test diets having 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 1.5% ß-D-glucan for 130 days and its effect on reproductive performance, ovarian and liver histology, sex hormones, and transcript abundance of selected reproduction-related genes was assessed. Low dietary intake of ß-glucan improved fertilization and hatching rates (p<0.05). The relative fecundity and percentage of spawning females were higher (non-significant) in 0.5% ß-glucan-fed groups. Surprisingly, even after 130 days, spawning did not occur in 1.5% ß-glucan-fed individuals. Irrespective of ß-glucan intake, all the brooders recorded similar plasma 17ß-estradiol and maturation-inducing hormone (p>0.05). Higher intake of ß-glucan (1.5%) upregulated aromatase genes without a parallel increase in 17ß-estradiol. However, plasma vitellogenin increased with increasing ß-glucan up to 1.0% then declined at 1.5% (p<0.05). The fish that received control, 0.5, and 1.5% ß-glucan recorded similar vitellogenin levels in their plasma. Significantly higher plasma cortisol was evidenced in 1.5% ß-glucan fed brooders (p<0.05). Histologically, higher follicular atresia and leaking of yolk material was evidenced in 1.5% ß-glucan-fed group. Liver histology revealed the highest nutrient/lipid accumulation in fish that received 1.0% and 1.5% ß-glucan. This study demonstrated the stimulatory effect of ß-glucan intake at a lower dose (0.5%) on reproduction. However, higher intake (1.5%) could perturb normal reproductive function in a fish model and caused an increased number of atretic follicles leading to spawning/reproductive failure.

ß-Glucans obtained from fungus for wound healing: A review.

The cell surface of fungus contains a large number of ß-glucans, which exhibit various biological activities such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidation. Fungal ß-glucans with highly branched structure show great potential as wound healing reagents, because they can stimulate the expression of many immune- and inflammatory-related factors beneficial to wound healing. Recently, the wound healing ability of many fungal ß-glucans have been investigated in animals and clinical trials. Studies have proved that fungal ß-glucans can promote fibroblasts proliferation, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and macrophage infiltration during the wound healing process. However, the development of fungal ß-glucans as wound healing reagents is not systematically reviewed till now. This review discusses the wound healing studies of ß-glucans obtained from different fungal species. The structure characteristics, extraction methods, and biological functions of fungal ß-glucans with wound healing ability are summarized. Researches about fungal ß-glucan-containing biomaterials and structurally modified ß-glucans for wound healing are also involved.

Highland barley ß-glucan supplementation attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation in Western diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease mice by modulating gut microbiota.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. NAFLD is caused by numerous factors, including the genetic susceptibility, oxidative stress, unhealthy diet, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Among these, gut microbiota is a key factor and plays an important role in the development of NAFLD. Therefore, modulating the composition and structure of gut microbiota might provide a new intervention strategy for NAFLD. Highland barley ß-glucan (HBG) is a polysaccharide that can interact with gut microbiota after entering the lower gastrointestinal tract and subsequently improves NAFLD. Therefore, a Western diet was used to induce NAFLD in mouse models and the intervention effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of HBG on NAFLD mice based on gut microbiota were explored. The results indicated that HBG could regulate the composition of gut microbiota in NAFLD mice. In particular, HBG increased the abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Prevotella-9, Bacteroides, and Roseburia) as well as SCFA contents. The increase in SCFA contents might activate the adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, thereby improving the liver lipid metabolism disorder and reducing liver lipid deposition.

Isolation, purification and characterization of ß-glucan from cereals - A review.

ß-glucans are soluble fibers found in cereal compounds, including barley, oats etc., as an active component. They are used as a dietary fiber to treat cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. These polysaccharides are important because they can provide many therapeutic benefits related to their biological activity in human like inhibiting tumour growth, anti-inflammatory action, etc. All these activities were usually attached to their molecular weight, structure and degree of branching. The present manuscript reviews the background of ß-glucan, its characterization techniques, the possible ways to extract ß-glucan and mainly focuses on membrane-based purification techniques. The ß-glucan separation methods using polymeric membranes, their operational characteristics, purification methods which may yield pure or crude ß-glucan and structural analysis methods were also discussed. Future direction in research and development related to ß-glucan recovery from cereal were also offered.