beta-Glucans in promoting health: prevention against mutation and cancer.
The polysaccharides beta-glucans occur as a principal component of the cellular walls. Some microorganisms, such as yeast and mushrooms, and also cereals such as oats and barley, are of economic interest because they contain large amounts of beta-glucans. These substances stimulate the immune system, modulating humoral and cellular immunity, and thereby have beneficial effect in fighting infections (bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic). beta-Glucans also exhibit hypocholesterolemic and anticoagulant properties. Recently, they have been demonstrated to be anti-cytotoxic, antimutagenic and anti-tumorogenic, making them promising candidate as pharmacological promoters of health.
Mantovani
Mário S
MS
Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil. biomsm@uel.br
Bellini
Marilanda F
MF
Angeli
José Pedro F
JP
Oliveira
Rodrigo J
RJ
Silva
Ariane F
AF
Ribeiro
Lúcia R
LR
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*