Cultivar and Environmental Effects on p-glucanase Activity in Both Barley Grain and Malt and Its Function in β-glucan Degradation

Eight two-rowed barley cultivars were grown at seven locations in the southern winter-barley zone of China. Mean grainβ-glucanase activity ranged from 39.89 U kg-1 for Suyin2 to 49.75 U kg-1 for Xi-umai3 in 8 cultivars grown at 7 locations, and from 38. 74 U kg-1 in Zhengzhou to 57. 96 U kg-1 in Putian among 7 locations on an average of all cultivars. Correspondingly, mean malt β-glucanase activity of 8 cultivars ranged from 313.33 U kg-1 for ZAU3 to 489. 89 U kg-1 for Daner Barley, and of 7 locations from 330.40 U kg-1 in Yancheng to 418. 24 U kg-1 in Putian. There were significant differences among cultivars and locations in maltβ-glucanase activities. The locations showed much larger variation in maltβ-glucanase activities than cultivars. The reduction of total β-glucan content after malting varied in both cultivars and locations, with a mean of 78.31%. The analysis of correlations showed that maltβ-glucan content was significantly positively and negatively correlated with grain β-glucan content and malt β-glucanase activity, respectively, and malt β-glucanase activity was significantly positively correlated with grain β-glucanase activity.

Effects of Dietary β-Glucan and Glycyrrhizin on Non-Specific Immunity and Disease Resistance of the Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) Challenged with Vibrio splendidus

Sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, were fed diets containing non-immunostimulant (basal diet), 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% glycyrrhizin in a recirculatory water system for 45 days, and subsequently challenged with Vibrio splendidus by injection at 1.0×108 cfu/sea cucumber for 15 days.Phagocytic capacity (PC), intracellular superoxide anion production (ISAP), ly-sozyme (LSZ) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the coelomic fluid were analyzed on the 0th, 5th, 10th and 15th days after injection.Results showed that after the 45-day feeding period, PC, ISAP, LSZ activity and SOD activity in sea cucumbers fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin were significantly higher than in those fed with the basal diet.On the 5th day after infection, all the immune parameters examined in the sea cucumbers injected with V.splendidus decreased in value significantly.On the 15th day, PC, ISAP and LSZ activity returned to levels similar to those on the 0th day.For the sea cucumbers injected with saline, there were no significant differences in all the immune parameters examined and in the cumulative morbidity during the 15-day challenging trial.After injecting with V.splendidus, the cumulative morbidity of sea cucumbers fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin when challenged with V.splendidus challenged sea cucumber fed with the basal diet was significantly higher than those fed with dietary β-glucan or glycyrrhizin.There was no significant difference in cumulative morbidity between the dietary β-glucan and glycyrrhizin treatments over time.

Effects of dietary yeast β-glucan on nutrient digestibility and serum profiles in pre-ruminant Holstein calves

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of yeast 13-glucan on the nutrient digestibility and serum profiles in pre-ruminant Holstein calves. Forty-two neonatal Holstein calves （（39.6＋4.2） kg） were randomly allotted to six groups, and each was offered one of the following diets： a basal diet （control） or the basal diet supplemented with 25, 50, 75, 100 or 200 mg of yeast 13-glucan kg-~ feed （dry matter basis）. The basal diet consisted of a milk replacer and a starter feed. The trial lasted for 56 d. Two digestibility trials were conducted from d 14 to 20 and from d 42 to 48. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 14, 28 and 42 for serum profile analyses. On d 56, three calves from each group were slaughtered, and intestinal samples were collected to assess the villous height, crypt depth and mucosal thickness. Although feed intake was not affected by dietary treatment （P〉0.05）, the average daily gain （ADG） and gain-to-feed ratios were higher （P〈0.05） for the calves fed 75 mg of yeast β-glucan kg^-1 feed than those in the other groups. The supplementation of yeast β-glucan at 75 mg kg^-1 feed increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter （DM）, crude protein （CP）, ether extract （EE）, and phosphorus （P） （P〈0.05） and the ratio of intestinal villous height to crypt depth （V/C） （P〈0.05） when compared with the control group. No effects of yeast β-glucan on the serum concentrations of total protein （TP）, albumin （ALB）, serum urea nitrogen （SUN） and glucose （GLU） were observed （P〉0.05）. Compared with the control group, supplementation of yeast β-glucan decreased （P〈0.05） the serum concentrations of triglycerides （TG） and total cholesterol （TC）. The serum concentration of immunoglobulin G （IgG） and immunoglobulin M （IgM） increased quadratically （P〈0.05）, whereas the serum concentration of immunoglobulin A （IgA） was unaffected by dietary treatments （P〉0.05）. The supplementation of yeast β-glucan stimu- lated the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase （ALP） （P〈0.05） compared with the control group. The lysozyme （LYZ） concentration increased quadratically （P〈0.05） with increasing yeast β-glucan levels. The results suggested that dietary supplementation of yeast 13-glucan at 75 mg kg^-1 feed improved nutrient digestibility, enhanced immunity by increasing the immunoglobulin concentration and stimulating ALP, and exerted no adverse effects on metabolism in pre-ruminant calves.

Noble strain of Sparassis latifolia produces high content of β-glucan

Objective: To classify four new Sparassis strains(CLM1, CKM1, CKM2, and KJM1) using the internal transcribed spacer sequence and to elucidate their β-glucan content and mycelial growth.Methods: Two different microbiological media were used to determine growth rate. The β-glucan contents were analyzed using the Megazyme Mushroom and Yeast Beta-Glucan kit. To determine the genetic relationships, phylogenetic trees were constructed using ClustalX. Multiple sequence alignments were printed and shaded with the BOXSHADE 3.21 program. Results: In this study, four new Sparassis strains were isolated from the southern region of the Korea Peninsula. They were all classified into the Sparassis latifolia clade as a monophyletic group based on the internal transcribed spacer sequence. Mycelial growth rate of the CLM1 strain was highest in potato dextrose agar and potato dextrose agar larch. The β-glucan content of the CLM1 strain was highest at 29.5%(w/w). A high degree of sequence divergence was detected in the RNA polymerase second largest subunit II gene(RPB2) within Sparassis spp. tested. The putative amino acid sequences of the RPB2 had a distinct sequence. The nucleotide sequences of the RPB2's intron were also divergent among Sparassis spp., even though their nucleotide length was well conserved within Sparassis latifolia. Conclusions: These results indicate that the nucleotide sequences and the amino acid sequences of RPB2 can be used to identify individual Sparassis sp. The Sparassis strain CLM1 may be best for developing a remedy to prevent or treat cancer and other chronic diseases.

The Variation of β-glucan and Protein Content in Barley as Affected by Agronomic Practices

The influences of N application rate, timing, sowing date and seeding rate on β-glucan and protein content in barley grains were studied through the field experiments in Hangzhou, China during 1997 -2001. Protein content increased with N application rate and with N proportion applied at late stage. β-glucan content also responded significantly to N application rate and timing, but with different pattern with protein content. Of three N rate treatments, the medium N rate (135 kg ha-1) had the highest β-glucan content, being significantly higher than low N rate (90 kg ha-1) and no difference with high N rate (180 kg ha-1). A-mong three N timing treatments, two times of N top-dressing at both tillering and booting stage had significantly higher β-glucan content than once N top-dressing at tillering or booting stage. Sowing date has the dramatic effect on both β-glucan and protein content. Protein content decreased with the delayed sowing, and kernel weight showed opposite tendency. Either earlier or later sowing caused increased β-glucan content relative to sowing in early November, which is the normal date for barley sowing locally. Seeding rate had no significant influence on both β-glucan and protein content.

Mushroomβ-glucan and polyphenol formulations as natural immunity boosters and balancers:nature of the application

Mushrooms are experiencing a kind of renaissance as a part of the contemporary human diet.These valuable organisms are more than food,they fit in perfectly as a novel market group known as nutra-mycoceuticals.Immune-balancing mushroom dietary fibers and secondary metabolites such as polyphenols are the main focus of the healthcare industry.Wellness and cosmetic companies are increasingly using mushroom extracts rich in these ingredients.This review considers the basic molecular immunomodulatory mechanisms of action of the most commonly used mushroom dietary fibers,β-glucans.The literature data on their bioavailability,metabolic transformations,preclinical and human clinical research,and safety are discussed.Immunomodulatory mechanisms of polyphenol ingredients are also considered.These molecules present great potential in the design of the new immunity balancer formulations according to their widespread structural diversity.Finally,we draw attention to the perspectives of modern trends in mushroom nutraceutical and cosmeceutical formulations to strengthen and balance immunity.

Genome-Wide Identification of Candidate Genes Associated with β-glucan Traits in a Hulled and Hulless Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Population

Barley grain is a valuable source ofβ-glucan,which is an important component of dietary fiber with significant human health benefits.Although the genetic basis ofβ-glucan biosynthesis has been widely studied,a genome-wide association study(GWAS)is still required for a scan of the candidate genes related to the complex quantitative trait based on the high-quality barley reference genome.In this study,a GWAS was conducted using a population composed of 87 barley landraces(39 hulled and 48 hulless,β-glucan from 2.07%to 6.56%)with 191,098 nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)markers to cover the chromosomes with the highest density.The population was divided into four sub-populations(POP1~POP4),and theβ-glucan content in POP2 was significantly higher than that in other groups,in which most of the hulless barley landraces are from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China.Among seven SNP markers identified by GWAS,two(SNP2 and SNP3)of them showed positive correlation toβ-glucan trait and the remaining five(SNP1,SNP4,SNP5,SNP6 and SNP7)showed the negative relationship.Two candidate genes linked to SNP7,HORVU7Hr1G000320 and HORVU7Hr1G000040,belong to the nucleotide triphosphate hydrolase super-family which is probable to affect the activities ofβ-glucan synthase.Another candidate gene associated with SNP1,HORVU1Hr1G000010,is possibly involved in sugar response.In conclusion,our results provide new insights into the genetic basis ofβ-glucan accumulation in barley grains,and the discovery of new SNP markers distributed in each chromosome and the associated candidate genes will be valuable for the breeding of functional barley varieties with high β-glucan.

β-Glucan Fiber from Spent Brewer’s Yeast Reduces Early Atherosclerosis Greater Than Psyllium in Hypercholesterolemic Syrian Golden Hamsters

β-Glucans, mostly from oats, have been shown to reduce blood concentrations of total and LDL-cholesterol in animals and humans. After processing, spent brewer’s yeast, a by-product of the fermentation process, contains 85% - 90% β-glucans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of yeast-derived β-glucan fiber on plasma lipids and early atherosclerosis development in hamsters consuming a semi-purified hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD). Animals were fed either the HCD or the HCD containing psyllium or β-glucan fiber from yeast for 12 weeks. Both the psyllium and β-glucan fiber from yeast showed significant decreases in plasma total cholesterol, non-HDL-C, triacylglycerol, and aortic fatty streak area when compared to the HCD. Also, the β-glucan fiber from yeast had significantly less aortic fatty streak area compared to the psyllium diet. Findings from this study show that while both β-glucan fiber from yeast and psyllium produced similar reductions in plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, the β-glucan fiber from yeast prevented the development early atherosclerosis better than psyllium in the hamsters.

A Review on the Impact of the Plant Bioactive Compound β-Glucans as Phytochemicals for Boosting Human and Animals’ Immune Response—β-Glucans as Immunostimulants

The influence of food and nutrition on health and immunity for both human and animals are being demonstrated. Phytochemicals are natural compounds present in cereals, beans, fruits, vegetable, and other plants, believed to enhance immune response for both human and animals. One of these phytochemicals is β-Glucans that are heterogeneous polysaccharides consisted of branched long chains of D-Glucose units present in cereals such as barley, wheat, and oats, and also present in microbial cell walls for yeasts, fungi, bacteria, and algae. β-Glucans extracted from cereals and mushroom were investigated for their positive impact on immunomodulation for both human and animal health. These β-Glucans proved to enhance immune system for innate response as the first defense against microbial infection, toxins, and self-tumor cells, and also, enhance adaptive immune that also referred to specific immunity as the second defense in response to antigen-specific lymphocytes against microbial infection, toxins, and self-tumor cells.

β-Glucans: Characterization, Extraction Methods, and Valorization

β-glucans are bioactive compounds with a wide range of biological properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulating properties. Due to their specific physical properties, such as (in)solubility, viscosity, and gelation, β-glucans are increasingly being used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the different types of β-glucans, their sources, especially Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, and the methods of extraction, isolation, and purification of β-glucans, with the aim of optimizing these methods for the efficient production process. Moreover, the physico-chemical properties, modifications, current applications and future prospects of the use of β-glucans in food, medicines, cosmetics and other potential value-added products are summarized. The data presented indicate that β-glucans will play an increasingly important role in the sector of special-purpose food products as well as in other current and future areas.

β-glucan诱导训练免疫及其在逆转免疫耐受中的应用

目的本研究拟通过在体内和体外诱导训练免疫反应,以探讨诱导训练免疫是否可能逆转免疫耐受状态。方法以β-glucan作为训练免疫诱导剂,建立体外小鼠胫骨来源的巨噬细胞(bone marrow derived-macrophages,BMDM)训练免疫模型:40μg/mLβ-glucan刺激BMDM 24 h,随后用PBS洗涤后让BMDM在完全培养基中静息6 d,在第3天的时候补充培养基,第7天收集细胞100 ng/mL LPS再刺激,4 h后收集细胞抽提RNA和24 h后收集细胞上清;建立β-glucan体内训练免疫模型:野生型C57BL/6J腹腔注射1 mgβ-glucan,对照组腹腔注射200μL的PBS,7 d后感染金黄色葡萄球菌(每只1×10^(4)/200μL PBS)。LPS诱导体外免疫耐受,体外免疫耐受逆转通过在耐受的BMDM中加入40μg/mLβ-glucan刺激24 h,随后让细胞静息1 d,通过促炎因子的恢复水平来反映耐受逆转情况。盲肠结扎穿刺(cecal ligation and puncture,CLP)诱导体内免疫耐受,体内免疫耐受逆转通过向CLP组腹腔注射1 mgβ-glucan,通过再次感染非致死剂量的细菌或真菌的生存率反映耐受逆转情况。结果(1)经过β-glucan训练的BMDM,在LPS再次刺激时产生更高水平的促炎因子TNF-α、IL-6和NO。同时,β-glucan训练的BMDM通过激活m-TOR信号通路,导致细胞代谢模式向糖酵解转变,引起细胞内乳酸增多;(2)β-glucan诱导的体内训练免疫具有保护作用;(3)β-glucan在体外能够逆转LPS诱导的免疫耐受,恢复BMDM促炎细胞因子的产生;(4)目前我们的结果尚未证实β-glucan在体内可以逆转CLP诱导的免疫耐受。结论本研究成功地建立了β-glucan体外和体内训练免疫模型,并证明了在体外β-glucan能逆转LPS诱导的免疫耐受,但是目前结果尚未证实β-glucan在体内能够逆转CLP诱导的免疫耐受,提高二次感染生存率。

Astragalus polysaccharide orβ-glucan combined with inactivated vaccine markedly prevent CyHV-2 infection in Carassius auratus gibelio

Herpesviral hematopoietic necrosis disease caused by cyprinid herpesvirus 2(CyHV-2)results in huge economic losses for the gibel carp(Carassius auratus gibelio)aquaculture industry.A vaccination strategy is a feasible method to prevent CyHV-2 infection and the resulting economic losses.In this study,inactivators(includingβ-propiolactone,formaldehyde and binary ethylenimine)were used to prepare an inactivated vaccine.The optimal inactivated CyHV-2 vaccine(0.2%β-propiolactone inactivates CyHV-2 for 48 h)mixed withβ-glucan,anisodamine,chitosan,and astragalus polysaccharide(APS)adjuvants were injected into gibel carp.Theβ-glucan and APS combined with inactivated vaccine significantly improved the relative immune protection rate of gibel carp against CyHV-2 infection.The highest specific antibody levels inβ-glucan and APS groups were found in serum by ELISA assay and antibody neutralization titer.Furthermore,adjuvant addition groups produced better results for lysozyme,total superoxide dismutase,and complement C3 in serum.β-glucan and APS combined with vaccine treatment effectively enhanced mRNA expressions of important immune genes(IL-1β,IgM,IL-2 and IFN-γ2).Minimal tissue lesions(gill,spleen,and head kidney)and virus replication were seen in theβ-glucan and APS groups by histopathological examination and expression analysis of CyHV-2 TK gene.These results indicated that the combination of inactivated vaccine and adjuvantβ-glucan or APS is an effective method against CyHV-2 infection and provided a case study reference for prevention of fish viral diseases using inactivated vaccines.

Effects of β-Glucan Supplementation on Repairing of Phenol-Induced Vaginal Mucosal Epithelium Damage in Rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of β-glucan on the repair of damaged vaginal mucosa, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the inflammatory factor-6 (IL-6) in vaginal tissues. Methods: Thirty-six adult female specific pathogen free (SPF)-grade Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 phase groups with 12 rats each. Vaginal inflammation rat models were established by injecting phenol gel into the vagina of each rat at a dose of 0.1 ml/100g body weight. After modeling, rats were divided into 4 groups based on different concentrations of the test agent. The control group was injected with 0.5 ml of saline, experimental group A was injected with 0.375 ml saline 0.125 ml β-glucan, experimental group B was injected with 0.25 ml saline 0.25 ml β-glucan, and experimental group C was injected with 0.50 ml β-glucan. The injection sites were selected at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions of the vagina. Rats were sacrificed at 7-, 14-, and 28-days post-injection, and tissue samples were collected from the injection sites and prepared for histological analysis. New blood vessels and fibroblast numbers in the tissues were observed after Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of VEGF and IL-6 in the tissues were measured using quantificational reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: Histological examination of vaginal tissue specimens at 7-, 14-, and 28-days post-injection showed that on day 7, there were no significant changes in the experimental groups compared to the control group. However, on days 14 and 28, the experimental groups showed more new blood vessels, macrophages, and fibroblasts with increased activity compared to the control group. The expression levels of VEGF in vaginal tissues were elevated on days 14 and 28 in the experimental groups. The comparison of IL-6 levels in vaginal tissues on day 28 showed that serum IL-6 levels returned to normal, and there was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: In the 3 experimental phases, the increase in VEGF levels in vaginal tissues on day 14 post-injection was more pronounced with higher concentrations of β-glucan, and IL-6 levels returned to normal on day 28. β-Glucan can enhance VEGF levels in damaged vaginal tissues, promote the repair of damaged vaginal tissues, and higher concentrations of β-glucan have a better effect.

蒸汽爆破预处理对猴头菇子实体残渣粗多糖理化性质及调节肠道菌群作用的影响

为了研究蒸汽爆破(Steam Explosion,SE)预处理对猴头菇子实体残渣粗多糖理化性质及调节肠道菌群的影响,以猴头菇水提残渣为原料,采用常规粉碎和蒸汽爆破两种方式进行处理制备获得粗多糖并进行得率、成分含量、单糖组成、分子量及消化和发酵特性的比较。结果显示,经SE处理所得多糖组分(HCQ)的得率、多糖和β-葡聚糖含量分别达到了13.36%、58.20%和47.93%,是常规粉碎处理所得多糖组分(HCW)的2.18、1.57和1.59倍,表明SE能显著(P<0.05)促进残渣中多糖组分的释放。SE还降低了HCQ的分子量并释放出小分子组分,同时提高了单糖组成中的葡萄糖摩尔百分比。在模拟体外人体粪便发酵过程中,与HCW相比,HCQ明显地(P<0.05)提高了有益菌(如厚壁菌门)的丰度和短链脂肪酸的产量,同时降低有害细菌(如埃希氏-志贺氏菌)的丰度,从而有益于机体健康。该研究为蒸汽爆破技术在猴头菇多糖提取中的应用及HCQ多糖作为潜在益生元发挥调节肠道菌群作用提供依据。

Dietary β-glucan supplementation improves growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality of finishing pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality of finishing pigs with dietary β-glucan supplementation.A total of 96 healthy pigs(Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire;initial average BW=25 kg) were randomly allocated into 4 dietary treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 4 pigs per replicate.The control group was fed a basal diet,and the experimental diets were supplemented with 50,100 and 200 mg/kg Agrobacterium sp.ZX09β-glucan,respectively.The experiment lasted 103 d.The basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg β-glucan significantly increased average daily gain and feed conversion ratio,probably due to the improved digestibility of dry matter,gross energy and crude protein(P <0.05).Beta-glucan supplementation from100 to 200 mg/kg of diet significantly increased carcass length(P <0.05).The basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg β-glucan supplementation also significantly(P <0.05) increased muscle pH,reduced drip losses and increased a~*values.The basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg β-glucan increased the content of intramuscular fat and changed the proportion of saturated fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acid,thereby improved the flavor of meat.In conclusion,the basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg Agrobacterium sp.ZX09 β-glucan improves growth performance,nutrient digestibility,carcass length,and pork quality of finishing pigs.

Insoluble β-glucan from the cell wall of Candida albicans induces immune responses of human THP-1 monocytes through Dectin-1

Background β-glucan is the major structure component of Candida albicans （C. albicans） cell wall. It has been demonstrated that Dectin-1 as the principal C-type lectin pattern-recognition receptor （PRR） can recognize fungal β-glucan and induce immune responses. In this study, we sought to clarify whether insoluble β-glucan from the cell wall of C. albicans （CalG） could induce immune responses in human THP-1 monocytes （a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line） and to determine the underlying mechanisms. Methods Human THP-1 monocytes were challenged with CalG in vitro. The mRNA expression of Dectin-1, Toll-like receptors （TLR2）, proinflammatory cytokine （TNF-a） and chemokine （IL-8） was assayed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The secretion of TNF-a and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. H2O2 release was determined by microplate fluorescent assay. Western blotting was used to analyze IKB-a phosphorylation and degradation. Results Exposure of THP-1 monocytes to CalG led to increased gene expression and secretion of TNF-a and IL-8. CalG induced H2O2 release in a time-dependent manner. CalG hydrolyzed with zymolyase failed to induce gene expression and secretion of TNF-a, IL-8 and H2O2 release. CalG up-regulated the mRNA of Dectin-1, whereas the mRNA level of TLR2 was not altered. THP-1 monocytes challenged with CalG resulted in the activation of NF-KB in a time-dependent manner. Dectin-1 inhibitor laminarin blocked the CalG-induced production of TNF-a and H2O2 in THP-1 monocytes, but no such effect was observed in pretreatment with anti-TLR2 neutralizing antibody and the LPS inhibitor （polymyxin B）. Conclusion CalG may play a role in activation of immune responses in human THP-1 cells throuah Dectin-1, not TLR2.

β-Glucan Improves Protective Qi Status in Adults with Protective Qi Deficiency——A Randomized,Placebo-Controlled,and Double-Blinded Trial

Objective:To test the hypothesis thatβ-glucan enhances protective qi(PQi),an important Chinese medicine(CM)concept which stipulates that a protective force circulates throughout the body surface and works as the first line of defense against"external pernicious influences".Methods:A total of 138 participants with PQi deficiency(PQD)were randomized to receiveβ-glucan(200 mg daily)or placebo for 12 weeks.Participants’PQi status was assessed every 2 weeks via conventional diagnosis and a standardized protocol from which a PQD severity and risk score was derived.Indices of participants’immune and general health status were also monitored,including upper respiratory tract infection(URTI),saliva secretory Ig A(s Ig A),and self-reported measures of physical and mental health(PROMIS).Results:PQi status was not significantly different between theβ-glucan and placebo treatment groups at baseline but improved significantly in theβ-glucan(vs.placebo)group in a time-dependent manner.The intergroup differences[95%confidence interval(CI)]in severity score(scale:1-5),risk score(scale:0-1),and proportion of PQD participants(%)at finish line was 0.49(0.35-0.62),0.48(0.35-0.61),and 0.36(0.25-0.47),respectively.Additionally,β-glucan improved URTI symptom(scale:1-9)and PROMIS physical(scale:16.2-67.7)and mental(scale:21.2-67.6)scores by a magnitude(95%CI)of 1.0(0.21-1.86),5.7(2.33-9.07),and 3.0(-0.37-6.37),respectively,over placebo.Conclusions:β-Glucan ameliorates PQi in PQD individuals.By using stringent evidence-based methodologies,our study demonstrated that Western medicine-derived remedies,such asβ-glucan,can be employed to advance CM therapeutics.(Clinical Trial.Gov registry:NCT03782974)

Yeast-Derived β-1,3-Glucan Substrate Significantly Increased the Diversity of Methanogens During In vitro Fermentation of Porcine Colonic Digesta

The β-1,3-glucan from yeast has been extensively examined for its immuno-enhancing effects in animals.However,investigation on the relationship among β-glucan,gut microbiota and immune-modulating effects remains limited particularly in pigs.Considering the critical roles of gut methanogens in the microbial fermentation,energy metabolism and disease resistance,we investigated the phylogenetic diversity of methanogens from fermented cultures of porcine colonic digesta with（G） or without（N） yeast β-glucan based on sequences of the archaeal 16S rRNA gene.A total of 145 sequences in the G library were assigned into 8 operational taxonomic units（OTUs） with the majority of sequences（114/145） related to strains Methanobrevibacter millerae or Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii with high identities ranging from 97.9 to 98.6%,followed by 23 sequences to Methanobrevibacter ruminantium,2 sequences to Methanobrevibacter smithii and one sequence to Methanobrevibacter wolinii.The 142 sequences in the N library were assigned to 2 OTUs with most sequences（127/142） related to strains M.millerae or M.gottschalkii with sequence identities ranging from 97.9 to 98.5%,and 15 sequences related to M.gottschalkii with 97.9% identity.Shannon diversity index showed that the G library exhibited significantly higher archaeal diversity（P0.05） and Libshuff analysis indicated the differences in the community structure between the two libraries were significant（P0.0001）.In conclusion,the current study provides evidence that addition of yeast β-glucan significantly increased the diversity of methanogens in in vitro fermented porcine colonic digesta.

Alleviating Skin Barrier Disruption,Skin Inflammation,and Pruritus:A Moisturizing Spray Containingβ-Glucan and Panthenol

Objective:Inflammatory skin diseases were proved to be associated with dry skin-induced pruritus.However,the relationship between skin inflammation,skin barrier function,and pruritus remains unclarified.The present study aimed to explore this relationship using an acetone-ether-water(AEW)mouse model,and to investigate the anti-itch effects of the combined application ofβ-glucan and panthenol in a moisturizing spray in this mouse model.Methods:A dry skin-induced chronic pruritus mouse model was established by repeated AEW treatment of the skin.The pruritic behavior,skin barrier function,and expression of molecules related to pruritus and inflammation in topical lesions were measured.The effects of a spray containingβ-glucan and panthenol were observed.Thet test and one-way analysis of variance were used to evaluate differences between groups.Results:AEW treatment triggered spontaneous scratching with significantly increased numbers of scratching bouts,and disrupted the skin barrier with a significant increase in transepidermal water loss values and a significant decrease in filaggrin gene(FLG)expression(allP<0.01).AEW treatment also significantly increased the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD,caspase-1,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α,as well as the pruritus-associated molecules nerve growth factor,cathepsin S,and thymic stromal lymphopoietin in the skin(allP<0.01).Application of the spray containingβ-glucan and panthenol significantly alleviated these responses,resulting in a reduced number of scratching bouts in 1 hour,reduced transepidermal water loss values,increased filaggrin mRNA expression,and reduced mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD,caspase-1,interleukin-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α,cathepsin S,thymic stromal lymphopoietin,and nerve growth factor in skin lesions(allP<0.05).Conclusion:The present results suggest a relationship between damaged skin barrier function,pruritus,and inflammation.Addingβ-glucan and panthenol to moisturizing skincare products may alleviate pruritus induced by dry skin,improve the damaged skin barrier function,and reduce the inflammatory state in local skin areas.

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with β-amylase and limit dextrinase activities and β-glucan and protein fraction contents in barley

High malting quality of barley （Hordeum vulgare L.） relies on many traits, such as β-amylase and limit dextrinase activities and β-glucan and protein fraction contents. In this study, interval mapping was utilized to detect quantitative trait loci （QTLs） affecting these malting quality parameters using a doubled haploid （DH） population from a cross of CM72 （six-rowed） by Gairdner （two-rowed） barley cultivars. A total of nine QTLs for eight traits were mapped to chromosomes 3H, 4H, 5H, and 7H. Five of the nine QTLs mapped to chromosome 3H, indicating a possible role ofloci on chromosome 3H on malting quality. The phenotypic variation accounted by individual QTL ranged from 8.08% to 30.25%. The loci of QTLs for D-glucan and limit dex- trinase were identified on chromosomes 4H and 5H, respectively. QTL for hordeins was coincident with the region of silica eluate （SE） protein on 3HS, while QTLs for albumins, globulins, and total protein exhibited overlapping. One locus on chromosome 3H was found to be related to （J-amylase, and two loci on chromosomes 5H and 7H were found to be associated with glutelins. The identification of these novel QTLs controlling malting quality may be useful for marker-assisted selection in improving barley malting quality.