epiglucan and Liver-Diseases

Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is the Japanese name for an edible fungus with a large fruiting body characterized by overlapping caps. It is a premier culinary as well as medicinal mushroom. Maitake is increasingly being recognized as a potent source of polysaccharide compounds with dramatic health-promoting potential. The most recent development is the MD-fraction, a proprietary maitake extract its Japanese inventors consider to be a notable advance upon the preceding D-fraction. The D-fraction, the MD-fraction, and other extracts, often in combination with whole maitake powder, have shown particular promise as immunomodulating agents, and as an adjunct to cancer and HIV therapy. They may also provide some benefit in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and hepatitis.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Administration, Oral; Animals; Anti-HIV Agents; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; beta-Glucans; Body Weight; Drug Administration Schedule; Glucans; HIV Infections; Humans; Hyperlipidemias; Hypertension; Hypolipidemic Agents; Liver Diseases; Neoplasms; Polyporaceae

The present study was undertaken to determine the histopathological and quantitative effects of the antineoplastic agent, taxol, on the liver. The protective effects of the strong antioxidant, beta-1,3-D-glucan, against liver damage induced by taxol were also investigated. Mice were divided into four main treatment groups: control, taxol, beta-1,3-D-glucan, and taxol+beta-1,3-D-glucan. Each group was further subdivided into six subgroups, according to time of sacrifice (6, 12, 24, and 48 hours and 7 and 14 days). After the experiments, quantitative and histopathological changes in liver were examined by light microscopy and modern stereological systems. Stereological results indicated that the portal triad area of the taxol group was significantly reduced, compared to the controls at 12 hours, whereas in the taxol plus beta-glucan and beta-glucan groups, the means were similar to those of the controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the numerical density of hepatocytes with time between the control and other groups. The histopathological results indicated an increased, time-dependent degeneration and necrosis of the liver tissues in mice in the taxol group. Regenerative changes in livers of mice in the taxol plus beta-glucan group were observed, when compared with those of the taxol group. Stereological and histopathological results suggest that beta-glucan may reduce taxol-induced hepatic damage by blocking the change in the portal area and suppressing processes leading to necrosis.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; beta-Glucans; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Free Radical Scavengers; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Glucans; Liver; Liver Diseases; Mice; Necrosis; Oxidative Stress; Paclitaxel; Proteoglycans; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats, Wistar

Invasive fungal infection is a fatal complication in liver transplantation and it is very difficult to diagnose at the early stage. The aim of this study was to review our experience with invasive fungal infections in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and to analyze the risk factors and the impact of beta-D glucan. From 1991 to 2005, 96 LDLTs were performed in our institution and we measured the serum level of beta-D glucan in order to clarify the diagnosis. Invasive fungal infection was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, culture, radiological evidence and beta-D glucan. Active fungal infection was treated with fluconazole, amphotericin B, flucytosine and micafungin. Risk factors both pre- and post- LDLT were analyzed. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species (70%). The risk factors identified by univariate analysis include the following four conditions: acute blood purification (plasma exchange with or without continuous hemodiafiltration), hepatic vein complications, renal failure and respiratory failure. By logistic regression analysis, hepatic vein complications and respiratory failure were identified as independent risk factors. The risk factors for invasive fungal infection of LDLT in Japan have not been well analyzed and this report will provide valuable information for the prevention of the fungal infection.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; beta-Glucans; Biomarkers; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hepatic Veins; Humans; Infant; Liver Diseases; Liver Transplantation; Living Donors; Male; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Renal Insufficiency; Respiratory Insufficiency; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sensitivity and Specificity