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 (β-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.

• Keywords
• drug, food, glucan, immunity, infection, mushrooms, supplement,
• MeSH
• Adjuvants, Immunologic chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Agaricales chemistry   MeSH
• beta-Glucans chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Immune System drug effects   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Nutritive Value MeSH
• Dietary Supplements * MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation MeSH
• Signal Transduction MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Adjuvants, Immunologic MeSH
• beta-Glucans MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents MeSH

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease manifested by an increase of blood glucose. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of glucan and vitamin D supplementation in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHOD: We evaluated the effects of 3-month supplementation with glucan and vitamin D in 54 patients with diabetic retinopathy. We measured levels of vitamin D, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. RESULTS: The supplementation strongly decreased the cholesterol levels and improved the levels of HDL cholesterol. In addition, vitamin D levels were strongly improved, but still not at optimal values. CONCLUSION: From our data, we concluded that glucan and vitamin D supplementation strongly influence lipid metabolism and have positive effects on human health.

• Keywords
• Clinical trials, Diabetes, Diabetic retinopathy, Glucan, Obesity, Supplementation, Vitamin D,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: The role of β-glucan in children with respiratory problems is getting more and more attention. In this report we focused on the effects of 30 days oral supplementation with β-glucan on physical activity and immune status of children with respiratory problems. METHODS: We measured the level of sIgA, eNO and physical activity [using a 6-minute walking test (6MWT)] in 77 children and evaluated the effect of 100 mg/day oral dose. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between males and females in physical endurance. In the glucan group, the positive effects of glucan were significant in both age groups. In the glucan group, we found significant decrease of eNO levels and stabilization of the sIgA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term oral application of natural immunomodulator β-glucan stimulated physical endurance in children with respiratory problems and, via stabilization of the sIgA levels, helps their mucosal immunity.

• Keywords
• Glucan, IgA, children, saliva, physical activity,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH