Β-Glucan-Indomethacin COMBINATION PRODUCES NO LETHAL EFFECTS

Abstract

Background:The most important quality of β-glucans and the reason why so much attention has been devoted to them are their physiological effects. They are typical biological response modifiers with pronounced immunomodulating activity. However, some questions about possible side effects remain.Aim: Several papers reported the lethal side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in glucan-treated mice, probably due to the peritonitis by enteric bacteria. However, these results were never independently confirmed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate these claims using several different types of glucans.Methods: Effects of combined treatment with four different types of glucans and indomethacin were measured by evaluation of phagocytosis of HEMA particles by peripheral blood leukocytes and production of IL-6 in mouse serum. In addition, the level of blood glucose, colon length and survival after 30 days of treatment was measured.Results: Our finding showed that simultaneous treatment with glucan and indomethacin caused a small decrease of phagocytic activity and IL-2 production. Two other tested parameters-blood glucose levels and colon length-that had been found to be significantly affected by this treatment, were virtually unchanged. In the final, yet most important part of the study, we found absolutely no mortality, regardless of the type of glucan or the routes of glucan administration. Conclusion:No adverse negative effects due to simultaneous treatment with glucan and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug dose was found, despite testing two different routes of glucan administration and four different types of glucan.

Edible Mushrooms and Beta-Glucans: Impact on Human Health

“…Similarly, β-glucans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were reported to protect against endotoxin-induced shock and organ injury in rats, although the precise mechanism was not established [ 18 ]. In this context, it is worth mentioning that in mice treated with indomethacin, a bacterial β-glucan extract (Sinofilan) may contribute to septic shock, which occurs through translocation of enterobacterial flora to various organs, and systemic inflammation [ 19 ]; the lethality of the indomethacin-β-glucan combination was not confirmed by others [ 20 ], using several different types of β-glucans. The discussion of this experimental model, however, is outside the scope of this article and the reader is referred to original works.…”

Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Children – Definition, Diagnostic Approach, Treatment and Prevention

“…Besides typical immune system cells, glucans also have demonstrable effects on other cell populations, such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, or other connective tissue cells. This is why many clinical and experimental studies have focused on the effects of these substances on the prevention and treatment of acute and recurring infectious diseases, congenital and acquired immune disorders, oncologic, autoimmune and allergic diseases (Lull et al, 2005;Vetvicka & Vetvickova, 2009). Glucans are polysaccharides of natural origin, naturally appearing in fungi, plants and some bacteria.…”

“…Receptors able to identify these PAMPs include mostly those that are involved in recognizing extracellular pathogens -Toll-like receptors and Ctype lectin receptors. On the other hand, the activation of these receptors triggers a cascade of inflammatory response associated with subsequent release of many cytokines, chemokines and other soluble factors that lead to the activation of several populations of immunocompetent cells of both specific and non-specific part of the immune system, and the development of antigen-specific immunity (Vetvicka & Vetvickova, 2009). The ability of glucans to activate various components of the immune system and thus modulate the immune response depends on the length of their chain, level of branching, as well as on their tertiary structure (Bohn & Bemiller, 1995).…”