Effect of β-Glucan on Drain Fluid and Amount of Drainage Following Modified Radical Mastectomy

Abstract

β-glucan decreased drain discharges after mastectomy. The drains were removed earlier in β-glucan administered patients.

Effects of fungal beta-glucans on health – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

“…44 Furthermore, beta-glucan supplementation to breast cancer patients after mastectomy decreased drain discharges between days 2 and 8 post-mastectomy and the drains were removed significantly earlier compared to the placebo group. 46 The same study recorded significantly lower TNF-a and IL-6 levels in the serum of breast cancer patients who were administered beta-glucan. 46 Beta-glucan supplementation to obese subjects had unclear results (Table 3).…”

“…46 The same study recorded significantly lower TNF-a and IL-6 levels in the serum of breast cancer patients who were administered beta-glucan. 46 Beta-glucan supplementation to obese subjects had unclear results (Table 3). Strączkowski et al 18 found that after 500 mg day −1 intake for 12 weeks no metabolic or anti-inflammatory effects were exhibited during weight loss.…”

“…This is an important observation that favors the use of beta-glucan supplements for many purposes, as it is supported by a significant number of studies with great variability in population. This extends even in cases of patients who receive these supplements in co-administration with other medicines prescribed for specific conditions, as seen in breast cancer, [44][45][46] osteoarthritis, 49 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 40 and HSV-1 positive 48 patients. Interestingly, age does not seem to be a factor that affects the overall efficacy of beta-glucan supplementation in immunological potentiation.…”