epiglucan and Intestinal-Diseases

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Avena; beta-Glucans; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Indomethacin; Intestinal Diseases; Male; Permeability; Treatment Outcome; Triticum; Xylans

Yeasts and their glycan components can have a beneficial or adverse effect on intestinal inflammation. Previous research has shown that the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (Sb) reduces intestinal inflammation and colonization by Candida albicans. The aim of this study was to identify dietary yeasts, which have comparable effects to the anti-C. albicans and anti-inflammatory properties of Sb and to assess the capabilities of yeast cell wall components to modulate intestinal inflammation. Mice received a single oral challenge of C. albicans and were then given 1.5% dextran-sulphate-sodium (DSS) for 2 weeks followed by a 3-day restitution period. S. cerevisiae strains (Sb, Sc1 to Sc4), as well as mannoprotein (MP) and β-glucan crude fractions prepared from Sc2 and highly purified β-glucans prepared from C. albicans were used in this curative model, starting 3 days after C. albicans challenge. Mice were assessed for the clinical, histological and inflammatory responses related to DSS administration. Strain Sc1-1 gave the same level of protection against C. albicans as Sb when assessed by mortality, clinical scores, colonization levels, reduction of TNFα and increase in IL-10 transcription. When Sc1-1 was compared with the other S. cerevisiae strains, the preparation process had a strong influence on biological activity. Interestingly, some S. cerevisiae strains dramatically increased mortality and clinical scores. Strain Sc4 and MP fraction favoured C. albicans colonization and inflammation, whereas β-glucan fraction was protective against both. Surprisingly, purified β-glucans from C. albicans had the same protective effect. Thus, some yeasts appear to be strong modulators of intestinal inflammation. These effects are dependent on the strain, species, preparation process and cell wall fraction. It was striking that β-glucan fractions or pure β-glucans from C. albicans displayed the most potent anti-inflammatory effect in the DSS model.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; beta-Glucans; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Cell Wall; Complex Mixtures; Female; Interleukin-10; Intestinal Diseases; Intestines; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

5-Fluorouracil and its derivatives are widely used in the treatment of a variety of tumours. However, their use is associated with gastrointestinal toxicity, myelotoxicity and immune toxicity. In this study, we examined the protective effects of low-molecular-weight beta-glucan isolated from Aureobasidium pullulans GM-NH-1A1 against toxicity of UFT (combination of tegafur (1-(2-tetrahydrofuryl)-5-fluorouracil) and uracil) in mice bearing colon 26 tumours.. UFT was administered orally at 50 mg/kg once daily for 14 days alone or with orally administered low-molecular-weight beta-glucan, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg twice daily.. Tumour growth was inhibited equally in all treatment groups. Onset of diarrhoea, which started on day 9 of UFT administration, was delayed by concomitant administration of the beta-glucan (50 and 100 mg/kg twice daily). Histological analysis showed that damage to small-intestine villi by UFT was inhibited by the orally administered beta-glucan.. Oral administration of low-molecular-weight beta-glucan prevents gastrointestinal mucositis associated with UFT therapy without interfering with its anti-tumour activity.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Basidiomycota; beta-Glucans; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Synergism; Intestinal Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestine, Small; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Molecular Weight; Mucositis; Neoplasm Transplantation; Tegafur; Uracil