Low levels of vitamin D in population exposed to significant environmental pollution.

In recent years, monitoring of vitamin D levels and possible use of supplementation is gaining attention. Numerous studies showed low levels of vitamin D in winter months followed by improvement during summer. These changes are mostly dependent on the level of sun exposure, but also on geographical location, genetic factors, social-economic status, quality of nutrition and environmental pollution. In this observation we found significant decrease in vitamin D levels in populations exposed to extreme environmental pollution in area of central Europe. This region is known for extreme burden from microparticles originating in chemical industry, surface coal mining and cold-based power stations. Vitamin D levels in all patients was determined by ELISA. Using 540 patients in our department of clinical immunology and allergology we measured the levels of vitamin D in 2016 to 2021 period. In only 4 patients (0.74 %) we found vitamin D levels higher than 30 ng/ml. The curve of observed values does not reflect dependency on sun exposure and does not change during the year. We discuss the effect of environmental contaminants, lifestyle and economic and social factors. From our observations, we propose to directly supplement population with vitamin D, particularly children and seniors. From our observations, we propose to directly supplement population with vitamin D, particularly children and seniors.

Beta Glucan: Supplement or Drug? From Laboratory to Clinical Trials.

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 (ß-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.

ß-glucans and cholesterol (Review).

Hypercholesterolemia is one of primary risk factors of cardiovascular disease, together with metabolic syndrome, hypertension and diabetes. Although progress has been made, the search for novel methods of preventing and treating dyslipidemia is ongoing and current therapies for cardiovascular disease induce various side effects. ß­glucans are linear unbranched polysaccharides found in various natural sources, such as mushrooms. Due to their structure they are able to interact with innate immunity receptors, however they also act as dietary fibers in the digestive tract. As there are two forms of ß­glucans, insoluble and soluble forms, they are able to interact with lipids and biliary salts in the bowel and consequently reduce cholesterol levels. Therefore, they may be developed as a suitable therapeutic option to treat patients with dyslipidemia, as they are natural molecules that do not induce any significant side effects. The current review discusses the evidence supporting the effects of ß­glucans on cholesterol levels.

Immunostimulatory properties and antitumor activities of glucans (Review).

New foods and natural biological modulators have recently become of scientific interest in the investigation of the value of traditional medical therapeutics. Glucans have an important part in this renewed interest. These fungal wall components are claimed to be useful for various medical purposes and they are obtained from medicinal mushrooms commonly used in traditional Oriental medicine. The immunotherapeutic properties of fungi extracts have been reported, including the enhancement of anticancer immunity responses. These properties are principally related to the stimulation of cells of the innate immune system. The discovery of specific receptors for glucans on dendritic cells (dectin-1), as well as interactions with other receptors, mainly expressed by innate immune cells (e.g., Toll-like receptors, complement receptor-3), have raised new attention toward these products as suitable therapeutic agents. We briefly review the characteristics of the glucans from mycelial walls as modulators of the immunity and their possible use as antitumor treatments.

Stimulation of ileal epithelium growth and regeneration by dietary nucleotide extracts.

The gastrointestinal tract epithelium plays an important role not only in digestion and absorption of nutrients, but also in antigen and pathogen signal translocation toward the gut associated lymphoid tissue. Malnutrition in various degrees is recognized as the most common cause of the immune system dysfunction. Research done in the past several years has revealed that dietary nucleotides (dNT) represent an essential compound of nutrition because of their importance in metabolic pathways, energetic processes and nucleic acid synthesis during tissue renewal. Much evidence accumulated suggests that dNT are essential for the growth and maturation of the gut epithelia. In previous experiments we have documented immunoregulative properties of dNT-containing extracts. In this study Balb/c female mice were fed (1) standard diet, (2) dNT-supplemented diet, and (3) dNT-supplemented water for 4 weeks. The supplement in dose of 100 mg/kg/l comprised original extract (Imuregen, Uniregen Ltd., Náchod, Czech Republic). Samples of terminal ileum in each dietary group were removed for histological examination. The length of villi was evaluated by computer morphometry. The highest growth of intestinal villi was observed in group administered dNT-supplemented water. We have found no pathological changes of intestinal epithelium in any experimental group.