Yeast β–Glucan Modulates Inflammation and Waist Circumference in Overweight and Obese Subjects

Abstract

Increased inflammation occurs with excessive adiposity and yeast β-glucan modulates immune responses. This study investigated the potential effect of yeast β-glucan on inflammatory cytokines in overweight/obese people. A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial design enrolled 44 overweight/obese participants with body mass index ≥23 kg/m, randomized to two groups receiving β-glucan 477 mg/capsule (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22) orally for six weeks. At weeks one to two, participants received 1 β-glucan or placebo capsule/day and at four weeks two tablets/day. Anthropometric changes, lipid profiles, liver and renal functions, and inflammatory cytokines were measured. β-glucan reduced waist circumference (p = 0.037) and blood pressure (p = 0.006) compared with controls after six weeks of intervention. No statistical significance between groups was observed for triglyceride, cholesterol, lipid profile, liver and renal function, or energy and nutrient intake compared with controls at week six. β-glucan increased interlukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, by 23.97% from baseline at week two (p < 0.001) and 31.12% at week six (p < 0.001) and was significantly increased compared with controls at week two (p < 0.001) until week six (p < 0.001). β-glucan reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 at week six (p = 0.005) and tumor necrosis factor-α at week two (p = 0.037) compared with controls. Supplementation of yeast β-glucan for six weeks modulated pro-cytokines that accelerate overweight/obese comorbidities and reduced blood pressure as well as waist circumference, the strong risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in overweight/obese subjects. Thus, β-glucan might have the potential to decrease comorbid conditions associated with overweight/ obesity.

Effects of Yeast (1,3)-(1,6)-Beta-Glucan on Severity of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Subjects

“…This was not only reported for in vitro, but also in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (42). Furthermore, increased IL-10 levels were measured after beta-glucan in overweight subjects (19,41). In the study of Mosikanon et al, the increase of IL-10 was also associated with a significant reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a. Bekkering et al (6) showed that priming human monocytes with beta-glucan for 24 h, following a 5-day resting phase and restimulation with bacterial agents, leads to significantly higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-1Ra) in comparison to the monocyte cultures only exposed to bacterial agents.…”

Combination of β-glucan and Morus alba L. Leaf Extract Promotes Metabolic Benefits in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

“…Previous studies have shown that oral intake of BG at 1 g/kg body weight could efficiently lower body weight, blood glucose and lipids in obese mice [ 25 ]. A randomized double-blinded clinical trial reported that BG could increase anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, and reduce waist circumference in obese subjects [ 26 ]. Consistent with previous studies, we showed that administration of BG at 200 mg/kg body weight during the HFD feeding could efficiently lower body weight gain, serum lipids and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, indicating benefits for obese mice.…”

Complex dietary polysaccharide modulates gut immune function and microbiota, and promotes protection from autoimmune diabetes

“…Structurally, YBG contains β ‐1,3‐linked d ‐glucose molecules ( β ‐1,3‐ d ‐glucan) with β ‐1,6‐linked side chains and it is recognized by innate immune cells, primarily through a pathogen recognition receptor called Dectin‐1 . Clinical studies using YBG preparations have shown beneficial effects, but a clinical trial failed to detect changes in either cytokine production or microbicidal activity of leukocytes on oral administration of YBG . Overall, as most of these published studies on biological effects of β ‐glucans have administered β ‐glucans systemically, and/or used partially purified and poorly defined products, the degree and nature of immune modulation induced by purified β ‐glucans and the impact of oral consumption of β ‐glucans on autoimmunity are largely unknown.…”