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.

• Klíčová slova
• drug, food, glucan, immunity, infection, mushrooms, supplement,
• MeSH
• adjuvancia imunologická chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• Agaricales chemie   MeSH
• beta-glukany chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• imunitní systém účinky léků   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nutriční hodnota MeSH
• potravní doplňky * MeSH
• protinádorové látky chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adjuvancia imunologická MeSH
• beta-glukany MeSH
• protinádorové látky 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.

• Klíčová slova
• Clinical trials, Diabetes, Diabetic retinopathy, Glucan, Obesity, Supplementation, Vitamin D,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články 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.

• Klíčová slova
• Glucan, IgA, children, saliva, physical activity,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH