Modulation of macrophage activity, induced by beta-1,3 polyglucose extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisae, in BALB/c mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an extremely widespread parasite that chronically infects approximately 20% of the world's population. β-glucan has been described as a potent immunomodulatory substance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of β-glucan on the macrophage activity in mice infected with T. gondii. BALB/c mice were infected with 10 4 tachyzoites/ml by the intraperitoneal (ip) route. The suspension of β-glucan used in this study was extracted from the cellular walls of Saccharomyces cerevisae. The animals received 100µg of glucan by ip route. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) and nitric oxide (NO) production by peritoneal and splenic macrophage cultures were determined by phenol red oxidation and Griess reaction, respectively. The results showed that β-glucan has a potent immunomodulatory effect in animals infected with T. gondii, and could be useful in the treatment of this zoonosis.