• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2008

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protective effects of $\beta$-glucan from barley on RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined. The RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were preincubated with various concentrations ($0-200\;{\mu}g/mL$) of $\beta$-glucan and stimulated with LPS to induce oxidative stress and inflammation. The $\beta$-glucan treatments were found to reduce thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) accumulation, and enhance glutathione levels and the activities of antioxidative enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in the LPS-stimulated macrophages as compared to the LPS-only treated cells. Nitric oxide (NO) production was significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05) with an $IC_{50}$ of $104\;{\mu}g/mL$. Further treatment with $\beta$-glucan at $200\;{\mu}g/mL$ suppressed NO production to 2% of the LPS-control, and suppressed the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein and mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. The specific DNA binding activity of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B\;(NF{\kappa}B)$ was significantly suppressed by $\beta$-glucan treatment with an $IC_{50}$ of $220\;{\mu}g/mL$ in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, barley $\beta$-glucan ameliorates NO production and iNOS expression through the down-regulation of $NF{\kappa}B$ activity, which may be mediated by attenuated oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.361-367
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• 2014

Makgeolli, also known as Takju, is a non-filtered traditional Korean alcoholic beverage that contains various floating matter, including yeast cells, which contributes to its high physiological functionality. In the present study, we assessed the levels of ${\beta}$-glucan and glutathione in various yeast strains isolated from traditional Korean Nuruk and selected a ${\beta}$-glucan- and glutathione-rich yeast strain to add value to Makgeolli by enhancing its physiological functionality through increased levels of these compounds. Yeast ${\beta}$-glucan levels ranged from 6.26% to 32.69% (dry basis) and were strongly species-dependent. Dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from Nuruk contained $25.53{\mu}g/mg$ glutathione, $0.70{\mu}g/mg$ oxidized glutathione, and $11.69{\mu}g/g$ and $47.85{\mu}g/g$ spermidine and L-ornithine monohydrochloride, respectively. To produce functional Makgeolli, a ${\beta}$-glucan- and glutathione-rich yeast strain was selected in a screening analysis. Makgeolli fermented with the selected yeast strain contained higher ${\beta}$-glucan and glutathione levels than commercial Makgeolli. Using the selected yeast strain to produce Makgeolli with high ${\beta}$-glucan and glutathione content may enable the production of functional Makgeolli.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1564-1570
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• 2016

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan on macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cell-mediated factors. Effect of high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan on cytotoxicity in macrophages was investigated. Using macrophages, cytotoxicity of high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan was evaluated by MTT assay. We treated high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, and $250{\mu}g/mL$ in macrophages. High-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan did not affect macrophage viability. Phagocytic activity was assessed using zymosan. Activity of high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan on macrophages significantly increased as compared with zymosan. We treated high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan to murine NK cells co-incubated with YAC-1 cells. High-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan resulted in significantly increased activity of NK cells as compared with the control. In addition, treatment of macrophages with high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan resulted in significantly increased activity of T cell-mediated cytokine (IL-2, IL-12, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) levels and CD4+/CD8+ T cells as compared with the control. In conclusion, high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan could enhance the immune response through activation of macrophages, NK cells, and T cell-mediated factors.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.376-380
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• 2002

Production of the exopolymer by Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, UV induced mutant of A. pullulans ATCC 42023, was investigated. The exopolymer produced by A. pullulans SM-2001 was confirmed to be ${\beta}$-1,3-linked homoglucans containing a few ${\beta}$-1,6-linked single glucosyl branches(${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan) with the nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectrum. The average molecular weight of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan produced by A. pullulans SM-2001 was about 2.6 ${\times}$ 10$\^$5/ by the gel permeation chromatographic analysis. Sucrose was known to be better carbon source for the production of ${\beta}$ -1,3/1,6-glucan than other tested carbon sources in this study. Maximal conversion rate of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan was about 50% when the carbon source was 0.5%(w/v) sucrose.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2009

The $\beta$-glucans derived from yeast cell walls have been reported for having many immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Aureobasidium-derived soluble branched (1,3-1,6) $\beta$-glucan (Sophy $\beta$-glucan) was checked for natural killer (NK) activity and for the production of IFN-$\gamma$ and IL-4 in Leishmania amazonensis infection. The main experiment was performed with a group of female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, orally supplemented with 5% of Sophy $\beta$-glucan and infected with promastogotes of L. amazonensis ($1\;{\times}\;10^7$) into the footpad. Increase in the footpad thickness with time was observed in BALB/c mice in spite of the oral Sophy $\beta$-glucan supplement, but it was less in C57BL/6 mice. The difference in overall mean footpad thickness between 'infection only' versus 'infection + glucan' groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). High NK activity in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice was observed in 'glucan only' group compared to the control group and also in 'infection + glucan' group compared to 'infection only' group. The difference in the NK activity among these groups was significant (P < 0.05). The IFN-$\gamma$ level increased at weeks 7 and 8 post-infection in C57BL/6 mice and was significantly high in 'infection + glucan' group compared to the 'infection only' group (P < 0.05). IL-4 levels did not increase up to detectable levels throughout the study. The results led a conclusion that Sophy $\beta$-glucan enhances NK activity and cellular immunity in L. amazonensis-infected mice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.27-31
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• 2007

This study relates to low and medium molecular weight isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan produced by submerged liquid culture of Agaricus blazei, a method of producing the isoflavone-B-D-glucan using autolysis enzyme of Agaricus blazei mycelia, and use of the isoflavone-B-D-glucan for anti-cancer and immunoenhancing effect. In acordance with one aspect of the present study, it deals with a method of producing isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan, which comprises the followings; 1) culturing and separating mushroom mycelia, 2) producing low-medium molecular weight isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan from high molecular weight one. The cytotoxicity on human cnacer cell line (Caco-2, MCF-7), the expression of Cyclin D, Bcl-2, Bax protein, p21 protein, p53 protein in MCF-7 cells assessed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, and other immuno related factors such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1B activities were examined. Structural identification of isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan which showed cytotoxicity against cancer cell and immunoenhancing effects was carried by separation with DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, TLC, HPLC, IR, NMR. Clinical test for the cancer patients (n=119) for 6 month was carried out, and immunoenhancing factors (NK. cell number, ratio of T4/T8) were checked. We concluded the identified isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan has immuno enhancing effects and could be useful for cancer chemoprevention.

• Food preservation and processing industry
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.11-13
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• 2007

This study relates to low and medium molecular weight isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan produced by submerged liquid culture of Agaricus blazei, a method of producing the isoflavone-B-D-glucan using autolysis enzyme of Agaricus blazei mycelia, and use of the isoflavone-B-D-glucan for anti-cancer and immunoenhancing effect. In acordance with one aspect of the present study, it deals with a method of producing isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan, which comprises the followings; 1) culturing and separating mushroom mycelia, 2) producing low-medium molecular weight isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan from high molecular weight one. The cytotoxicity on human cnacer cell line (Caco-2, MCF-7), the expression of Cyclin D, Bcl-2, Bax protein, p21 protein, p53 protein in MCF-7 cells assessed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, and other immuno related factor such as TNF-a and IL-1B activities were examined. Structural identification of isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan which shoed cytotoxicity against cancer cell and immunoenhancing effects was carried by separation with DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, TLC, HPLC, IR, NMR, Clinical test for the cancer patients (n=119) for 6 month was carried out, and immunoenhancing factors(NK cell number, ratio of T4/T8) were checked. We concluded the identified isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan has immuno enhancing effects and could be useful for cancer chemoprevention.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.707-714
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• 2008

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan on growth performance, immunity and endocrine responses of weanling piglets. One hundred and eighty weanling piglets (Landrace$\times$Large White, $7.20{\pm}0.25kg$ BW and $28{\pm}2$ d of age) were randomly fed 1 of 5 treatment diets containing dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplemented at 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 4 wks. Each treatment was replicated in 6 pens containing 6 pigs per pen. On d 14 and 28, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency were recorded as measures of growth performance. Peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured to study the effect of dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation on immune function. Plasma prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), growth hormone (GH) and ghrelin were measured to investigate endocrine response to ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. Our results suggest that average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency had a quadratic increase trend with dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation from d 14 to 28, whereas it had no significant effect on average daily feed intake (ADFI). The treatment group fed with 50 mg/kg dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation showed a numerical increase in ghrelin, a similar change trend with ADG and no significant effect on GH. Lymphocyte proliferation indices, serum IgG and plasma PGE2 concentrations varied linearly with dietary supplementation levels of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan on d 14. Higher levels of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan may have a transient immuno-enhancing effect on the cellular and humoral immune function of weanling piglets via decreased PGE2. Taking into account both immune response and growth performance, the most suitable dietary supplementation level of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan is 50 mg/kg for weanling piglets.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.459-465
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• 2002

$\beta$-l, 3-glucans are well known to enhance the immune reactions, resulting in antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, anticoagulatory and wound healing activities. $\beta$-1, 3-glucans have various activities depending on molecular weight, degree of branching, conformation, water-solubility and intermolecular association. However, the $\beta$-1, 3-glucans linked backbone structure is essential and $\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl units are required for immunopotentiating activities. In this study, we tested the immunophamacological activities of insoluble $\beta$-1, 3-glucan from Agrobacterium sp. R259 KCTC 10197BP and confirmed the following activities: (1) IFN-${\gamma}$ production in PBMCs in the presence or in the absence of PHA, LPS, IL-18, and IL-12; (2) the induction of various cytokines in the spleen and thymus; (3) the adjuvant effect on the antibody production; (4) the cytotoxic and antitumor effects on cell lines and ICR mice. These results strongly suggest that $\beta$-1, 3-glucan from Agrobacterium sp. R259 KCTC 10197BP possesses various immunopharmacologica1 activities.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.506-510
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• 2009

The Toll signalling pathway in invertebrates is responsible for defense against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi, leading to the expression of antimicrobial peptides via NF-$\kappa$B-like transcription factors. Gram-negative binding protein 3 (GNBP3) detects beta-1,3-glucan, a fungal cell wall component, and activates a three step serine protease cascade for activation of the Toll signalling pathway. Here, we showed that the recombinant N-terminal domain of Tenebrio molitor GNBP3 bound to beta-1,3-glucan, but did not activate down-stream serine protease cascade in vitro. Reversely, the N-terminal domain blocked GNBP3-mediated serine protease cascade activation in vitro and also inhibited beta-1,3-glucan-mediated antimicrobial peptide induction in Tenebrio molitor larvae. These results suggest that the N-terminal GNBP homology domain of GNBP3 functions as a beta-1,3-glucan binding domain and the C-terminal domain of GNBP3 may be required for the recruitment of immediate down-stream serine protease zymogen during Toll signalling pathway activation.