Effects of Pleuran (Β–Glucan from Pleurotus Ostreatus) Supplementation on Incidence and Duration of COPD Exacerbations

Abstract

BACKGROUND:1,3/1,6-β–glucans are recognised as immunomodulators in human and veterinary medicine for over 50 years.AIM:To assess the effects of pleuran (1,3/1,6-β–glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) on incidence and duration of bacterial exacerbations in patients with COPD.METHODS:We performed an observational, non-randomized, open-label study including 32 COPD patients (Group D) in whom besides the recommended chronic treatment for the stable disease were administered supplement combination containing pleuran 100 mg, vitamin C 60 mg and zinc 5 mg once daily over a three month-period (Group 1). Also, an equal number of Group D COPD patients who besides the recommended treatment for stable disease received the supplement combination containing vitamin C 60 mg and zinc 5 mg once daily, matched to the study subjects of the Group 1 by sex and age served as control (Group 2).RESULTS:Over the study period 57 exacerbations (24 in the Group 1 and 33 in the Group 2) were documented. A mean number of exacerbations over the study period was significantly lower in the Group1 (0.7 ± 0.4) as compared to their mean number in the Group 2 (1.0 ± 0.6) (P = 0.0218). Furthermore, a mean duration of exacerbations expressed in days needed for cure or clinical improvement (i.e. complete resolution of symptoms or return of the symptoms to their baseline severity) in the Group 1 (6.7 ± 0.8 days) was significantly shorter than the mean duration of exacerbations in the Group 2 (7.4 ± 1.3 days) (P = 0.0118). There was not reported any adverse effect during the study period by study subjects from both examined groups.CONCLUSION:Our findings indicated that pleuran might impact the incidence and duration of bacterial exacerbations in patients with COPD. There is a need for further studies for more precise determination of the influence of pleuran on the course of COPD.

Effects of Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) Supplementation on Incidence and Duration of Bronchiectasis Exacerbations

“…In the present study, we found significantly lower incidence of exacerbations, as well as their significantly shorter duration in the study subjects receiving pleuran as compared to their incidence and duration in those who did not receive pleuran. Similar findings were obtained in our study on the effects of pleuran on the incidence and duration of exacerbations in patients with COPD who received the same doses of pleuran over the 3-month period [15]. Similar findings were reported by several studies that investigated effects of pleuran on incidence, duration, and severity of respiratory infections in children [38], [39].…”

“…Study subjects from the examined groups had similar demographic characteristics, as well as characteristics related to their disease (mean duration of the disease after diagnosis, severity, etiology, lung function, microbiological findings in the stable phase of the disease, accompanying COPD, etc.). We found a high prevalence of active and passive smokers in both examined groups, which was similar to their prevalence registered in our previous studies [15], [32], [33].…”

“…The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of pleuran on the incidence and duration of exacerbations in patients with BE. This study is a continuation of our investigation into the effects of pleuran on the incidence and severity of bacterial exacerbations in chronic obstructive airway diseases, following on from a previous study in which the incidence and severity of exacerbations were investigated in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with pleuran (COPD patients with accompanying BE were not included in the study) [15].…”

Medicinal Foods, YT and RH Combination, Suppress Cigarette Smoke-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Inhibiting NF-κB/ERK Signaling Pathways

“…For instance, cytokines (IL-1 β , IL-6, and TNF- α ), NO synthase, and NF- κ B of the RAW264.7 cells were upregulated upon treatment with Dictyophora indusial polysaccharides [ 14 ]. The β -glucan from Pleurotus Ostreatus , which is another species of mushroom, decreased the incidence and duration of bacterial exacerbations in patients with COPD [ 27 ]. Moreover, Astragalus membranaceus extract reduced the inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide from E .…”

Effectiveness, safety and cost analysis of add-on pidotimod in maintenance therapy for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults

“…Studies from various clinical trials and expert opinion reports have shown that the immunosuppressants (IS) are effective in management of COPD in comparison to other conventional treatment [15,16]. IS such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, CpG (TLR-9 agonists) and few monoclonal antibodies have shown effective results in treating AECB by targeting the prime inflammatory pathways [17,18].…”