scholarly journals Immunomodulating Effects of Fungal Beta-Glucans: From Traditional Use to Medicine

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1333
Author(s):  
Hidde P. van Steenwijk ◽  
Aalt Bast ◽  
Alie de Boer
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Beta Glucan ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Beta Glucans ◽  
And Function

The importance of a well-functioning and balanced immune system has become more apparent in recent decades. Various elements have however not yet been uncovered as shown, for example, in the uncertainty on immune system responses to COVID-19. Fungal beta-glucans are bioactive molecules with immunomodulating properties. Insights into the effects and function of beta-glucans, which have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, advances with the help of modern immunological and biotechnological methods. However, it is still unclear into which area beta-glucans fit best: supplements or medicine? This review has highlighted the potential application of fungal beta-glucans in nutrition and medicine, reviewing their formulation, efficacy, safety profile, and immunomodulating effects. The current status of dietary fungal glucans with respect to the European scientific requirements for health claims related to the immune system and defense against pathogens has been reviewed. Comparing the evidence base of the putative health effects of fungal beta-glucan supplements with the published guidance documents by EFSA on substantiating immune stimulation and pathogen defense by food products shows that fungal beta-glucans could play a role in supporting and maintaining health and, thus, can be seen as a good health-promoting substance from food, which could mean that this effect may also be claimed if approved. In addition to these developments related to food uses of beta-glucan-containing supplements, beta-glucans could also hold a novel position in Western medicine as the concept of trained immunity is relatively new and has not been investigated to a large extent. These innovative concepts, together with the emerging success of modern immunological and biotechnological methods, suggest that fungal glucans may play a promising role in both perspectives, and that there are possibilities for traditional medicine to provide an immunological application in both medicine and nutrition.

scholarly journals Intestinal Absorption of β-Glucans and Their Effect on the Immune System

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shingo Hino ◽  
Naomichi Nishimura ◽  
Tsukasa Matsuda ◽  
Tatsuya Morita
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Dietary Fiber ◽  
Recognition System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Dietary Fibers ◽  
Beta Glucan ◽  
Action Mechanisms ◽  
Insoluble Material ◽  
Generic Term ◽  
Beta Glucans

β-glucan is a generic term for insoluble dietary fibers exerting various effects on the immune system. As a group, β-glucans are non-cellulose polysaccharides composed of a glucopyranose as the main constituent sugar with β configuration, having a β- (1,3)-linked glucopyranose main chain as a common feature. β-glucans are absorbed through the intestine. Since the 1980s, there have been many studies reporting various effects of β-glucans on the immune system, including reports on receptors, that have slowly clarified their recognition system and action mechanisms. However, these studies focused mostly on treatments of infectious diseases and tumors; thus, the effects of β-glucans ingested in food as dietary fiber and their mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. The uptake of β-glucan into the body may be resemble that of proteins, which are soluble polymers, and insoluble material such as dietary fiber. Dietary fibers have varied structures, with wide-ranging solubility and physiological effects. Understanding whether these substances are actually taken up, how they exert their effects, and their metabolism after being taken up are important issues when considering the functionality and safety of dietary fibers.

ANALISA KANDUNGAN BETA-GLUKAN LARUT AIR DAN LARUT ALKALI DARI TUBUH BUAH JAMUR TIRAM (Pleurotus ostreatus) DAN SHIITAKE (Lentinus edodes)

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Netty Widyastuti ◽  
Teguh Baruji ◽  
Henky Isnawan ◽  
Priyo Wahyudi ◽  
Donowati Donowati
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structure ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Pleurotus Ostreatus ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Lentinus Edodes ◽  
Beta Glucan ◽  
Oyster Mushrooms ◽  
The Difference

Beta glucan is a polysaccharide compound, generally not soluble inwater and resistant to acid. Beta glucan is used as an immunomodulator (enhancing the immune system) in mammals is usually a beta-glucan soluble in water, easily absorbed and has a low molecular weight. Several example of beta-glucan such as cellulose (β-1 ,4-glucan), lentinan (β-1 0.6-glucan) and (β-1 ,3-glucan), pleuran (β-1, 6 and β-1 ,3-glucan) are isolated from species of fungi Basidiomycota include mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) and shiitake (Lentinus edodes).The purpose of thisresearch activity is to obtain beta-glucan compound that can be dissolved in water and in alkali derived from fungi Basidiomycota, i.e, Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) and shiitake (Lentinus edodes). The result of beta-glucan compared to characterize the resulting beta glucan that is molecular structure . The difference of beta glucan extraction is based on the differences in solubility of beta-glucan. Beta glucan could be water soluble and insoluble water.

Focal Adhesion Kinase in Ovarian Cancer: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Platinum and Taxane-Resistant Tumors

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arkene Levy ◽  
Khalid Alhazzani ◽  
Priya Dondapati ◽  
Ali Alaseem ◽  
Khadijah Cheema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Focal Adhesion Kinase ◽  
Focal Adhesion ◽  
Tumor Stage ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Potential Therapeutic Target ◽  
Resistant Disease ◽  
Development Of Resistance ◽  
And Function ◽  
Mdr 1

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, which is an essential player in regulating cell migration, invasion, adhesion, proliferation, and survival. Its overexpression and activation have been identified in sixty-eight percent of epithelial ovarian cancer patients and this is significantly associated with higher tumor stage, metastasis, and shorter overall survival of these patients. Most recently, a new role has emerged for FAK in promoting resistance to taxane and platinum-based therapy in ovarian and other cancers. The development of resistance is a complex network of molecular processes that make the identification of a targetable biomarker in platinum and taxane-resistant ovarian cancer a major challenge. FAK overexpression upregulates ALDH and XIAP activity in platinum-resistant and increases CD44, YB1, and MDR-1 activity in taxaneresistant tumors. FAK is therefore now emerging as a prognostically significant candidate in this regard, with mounting evidence from recent successes in preclinical and clinical trials using small molecule FAK inhibitors. This review will summarize the significance and function of FAK in ovarian cancer, and its emerging role in chemotherapeutic resistance. We will discuss the current status of FAK inhibitors in ovarian cancers, their therapeutic competencies and limitations, and further propose that the combination of FAK inhibitors with platinum and taxane-based therapies could be an efficacious approach in chemotherapeutic resistant disease.

scholarly journals The lung–gut axis during viral respiratory infections: the impact of gut dysbiosis on secondary disease outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Sencio ◽  
Marina Gomes Machado ◽  
François Trottein
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Disease Outcomes ◽  
And Function ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Viral Respiratory

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.

scholarly journals Impact of Dietary Flavanols on Microbiota, Immunity and Inflammation in Metabolic Diseases

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 850
Author(s):  
María Ángeles Martín ◽  
Sonia Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Nuclear Factor Κb ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Immunological Reactions ◽  
And Function ◽  
Positive Properties

Flavanols are natural occurring polyphenols abundant in fruits and vegetables to which have been attributed to beneficial effects on health, and also against metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. These positive properties have been associated to the modulation of different molecular pathways, and importantly, to the regulation of immunological reactions (pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, nuclear factor-κB [NF-κB], inducible enzymes), and the activity of cells of the immune system. In addition, flavanols can modulate the composition and function of gut microbiome in a prebiotic-like manner, resulting in the positive regulation of metabolic pathways and immune responses, and reduction of low-grade chronic inflammation. Moreover, the biotransformation of flavanols by gut bacteria increases their bioavailability generating a number of metabolites with potential to affect human metabolism, including during metabolic diseases. However, the exact mechanisms by which flavanols act on the microbiota and immune system to influence health and disease remain unclear, especially in humans where these connections have been scarcely explored. This review seeks to summarize recent advances on the complex interaction of flavanols with gut microbiota, immunity and inflammation focus on metabolic diseases.

scholarly journals Cellular and metabolic mechanisms of nutrient actions in immune function

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Newsholme
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Nutritional Intervention ◽  
Immune Cell Function ◽  
And Function

AbstractVarious nutrients can change cell structure, cellular metabolism, and cell function which is particularly important for cells of the immune system as nutrient availability is associated with the activation and function of diverse immune subsets. The most important nutrients for immune cell function and fate appear to be glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamin D. This perspective will describe recently published information describing the mechanism of action of prominent nutritional intervention agents where evidence exists as to their action and potency.

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