alpha glucan/inflammation

Water-insoluble alpha-glucans are synthesized from sucrose by glucosyltransferase-I of mutans streptococci and play an important role in the development of dental plaque. Several types of beta-glucans in fungal cell wall components and water-soluble alpha-glucans from Streptococcus mutans are known

Growing evidence supports the role of transcription factor activation in the pathophysiology of inflammatory disorders, sepsis, ARDS, SIRS, and shock. Kinase mediated phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha is a crucial step in the NFkappaB activation pathway. We investigated IKBalpha phosphorylation in

Colonic hydrogen (H2) protects against inflammation-induced oxidative stress. We examined the effect of a new highly branched α-glucan, isomaltodextrin (IMD), on colonic H2 production in rats. Rats were fed a 16.7% IMD, 8.8% indigestible dextrin (ID), or 10.4% high amylose cornstarch diet (Expt. 1),

A glucan was extracted with hot water from the basidiomycete Pleurotus pulmonarius and shown to have a (1-->3)-linked beta-D-glucopyranosyl main-chain substituted at O-6 of every third unit by single beta-D-glucopyranosyl non-reducing end units. This was shown by mono- and bidimensional nuclear

A polysaccharide, a glucan with mean M(r) of 1.0 x 10(6) (MP1), was isolated from the mesocarp of fruits of Orbignya phalerata. Chemical and spectroscopic studies indicated that MP1 has a highly branched glucan type structure composed of alpha-(1-->4) linked D-glucopyranose residues with (3-->4),

Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) is a unique fungus found inhabiting the rotten wood of Cinnamomum kanehirai. A submerged liquid culture of AC has been developed and its bioproducts have been used to meet the market demand for natural fruiting bodies. AC exhibits anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant,

Maitake α-glucan, YM-2A, isolated from Grifola frondosa, has been characterized as a highly α-1,6-branched α-1,4 glucan. YM-2A has been shown to possess an anti-virus effect in mice; however, it does not directly inhibit growth of the virus in vitro, indicating that the anti-virus effect of YM-2A

Sepsis is a life-threatening health condition that is initially characterized by uncontrolled inflammation, followed by the development of persistent immunosuppression. YCP is a novel α-glucan purified from the mycelium of the marine fungus Phoma herbarum YS4108, which has displayed strong antitumor

The local antitumor activities and inflammation-inducing activities of various antitumor polysaccharides were examined and the relation between the two types of activity was studied. The tested antitumor polysaccharides included MG (a mannoglucan prepared from the culture fluid of Microellobosporia

The host response to fungi is in part dependent on activation of evolutionarily conserved receptors, including toll-like receptors and phagocytic receptors. However, the molecular nature of fungal ligands responsible for this activation is largely unknown. Herein, we describe the isolation and

The cell wall has a critical role in the host immune response to fungal pathogens. In this study, we investigated the influence of two cell wall fractions of the dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) in the in vitro generation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs).

Isomaltodextrin (IMD), a highly branched α-glucan, is a type of resistant starch. Earlier studies have indicated that polysaccharides could prevent inflammation and can be effective in reducing the complications of chronic gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aloe arborescens Miller (Family Asphodelaceae) is a member of genus Aloe, which is used in traditional medicine to cure various diseases. The extracts of the plant have been reported to possess anticancer, immunomodulator, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The phytochemical

Human eosinophils (EOSs) stimulated under optimal conditions with 5 X 10(8) unopsonized zymosan particles at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes produced an average total immunoreactive leukotriene (LT) C4 of 1.6 ng per 10(6) EOSs, and 30% to 60% of the generated product remained cell associated. The

The macrophage-stimulating properties of some structurally related polysaccharides were studied in vitro. When the polysaccharides were presented to the macrophages in a sterically fixed form, i.e. as microparticles, they induced the release of interleukin 1 (IL-1) from the macrophages.