Effects after inhalation of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan in healthy humans.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to assess the effects of an exposure to a pure (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, a cell wall component of fungi, plants and certain bacteria.


METHODS
Twenty-one healthy subjects inhaled saline or (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan suspended in saline in a random, double-blind, cross-over design. They were examined before exposure and 24 and 72h afterwards with spirometry, blood sampling and collection of induced sputum. Differential cell counts and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) were determined in blood and sputum, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-10 were determined in sputum supernatants. TNF-alpha was determined after cultivation of blood mononuclear cells.


RESULTS
In sputum, inhalation of saline caused a significant increase in ECP and TNF-alpha. (1-->3)-beta-D-Glucan inhalation caused a further increase in these cytokines, although not statistically significantly different from the increase induced by inhalation of saline alone. In blood, the number of eosinophils was significantly decreased 72 h after the challenge with (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan. This effect was not found after the inhalation of saline alone. TNF-alpha production from stimulated blood mononuclear cells was significantly decreased 72 h after the (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan inhalation as compared with the increase induced by saline inhalation.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan causes a different type of response as compared with inflammatory agents such as bacterial endotoxin that cause a neutrophil-dominated inflammatory response.
Thorn
J
J
Department of Environmental Medicine, Göteborg University, Sweden. jorgen.thorn@envmed.gu.se
Beijer
L
L
Rylander
R
R
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000328:Adult; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D012260:Ribonucleases; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047071:beta-Glucans
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001798:Blood Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D005936:Glucans; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D047071:beta-Glucans; C048444:grifolan; D016753:Interleukin-10; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D009195:Peroxidase; D012260:Ribonucleases