${\beta}$(1-3)-D-glucan affects adipogenesis, wound healing and inflammation

Vetvicka, Vaclav,Vetvickova, Jana 경희한의학연구센터 2011 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.11 No.3

Numerous types of ${\beta}$(1-3)-D-glucans have been isolated from almost every species of yeast, grain, and fungi. These products have been extensively studied for their immunological and pharmacological effects. In this paper we evaluated the possibility whether individual ${\beta}$(1-3)-D-glucans will have an activity in less studied areas such as adipogenesis and inflammation. Our results showed that of the tested ${\beta}$(1-3)-D-glucans, yeast-derived insoluble Glucan #300, strongly inhibited adipogenic differentiation, supported wound healing and significantly lowered skin irritation. The remaining ${\beta}$(1-3)-D-glucans were significantly less active. Taken together, our study showed that with respect to natural ${\beta}$(1-3)-D-glucans, there is a clear yes-or-no effect suggesting that highly purified and highly active ${\beta}$(1-3)-D-glucans will have pleiotropic biological impact, whereas poorly isolated and/or less active ${\beta}$(1-3)-D-glucans will have only mediocre properties.

Effects of Glucan on Immunosuppressive Actions of Mercury

Vaclav Vetvicka,Jana Vetvickova 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.5

Global cycling of mercury results in the presence of mercury salts in the environment. The well-established negative effects of mercury on the immune system led us to the study whether natural immunomodulator glucan can overcome the immunosuppressive effects of mercury. Two types of mercury, thimerosal and mercury acetate, were administered in a dose of 2–8mg/L of drinking water to mice. After 2 weeks, all mice exhibited profound suppression of both cellular (phagocytosis, natural killer cell activity, mitogen-induced proliferation, and expression of CD markers) and humoral (antibody formation and secretion of interleukin-6, interleukin-12, and interferon-γ) responses. The mice were then fed with a diet containing a standard dose of glucan. Our results showed that simultaneous treatment with mercury and glucan resulted in significantly lower immunotoxic effects of mercury, which suggests that glucans can be successfully used as a natural remedy of low-level exposure to mercury.

Immunological Effects of Yeast- and Mushroom-Derived β-Glucans

Vaclav Vetvicka,Aruna Vashishta,Sujata Saraswat-Ohri,Jana Vetvickova 한국식품영양과학회 2008 Journal of medicinal food Vol.11 No.4

Glucans have a long history as nonspecific biological modulators. We compared the effects of three different glucans on immune reactions. Using two different administrations (intraperitoneal and oral) and two different animal models, we showed that yeast-derived Betamune™ (Biorigin, São Paulo, Brazil) caused significant stimulation of phagocytic activity as well as potentiation of synthesis and release of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-α. In addition, Betamune inhibited growth of tumor cells in vivo and affected expression of several important genes in breast cancer cells. Compared to adult mice, young animals showed different sensitivity to glucan action.

β(1-3)-D-glucan affects adipogenesis, wound healing and inflammation

Vaclav Vetvicka,Jana Vetvickova 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2011 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.11 No.3

Numerous types of β(1-3)-D-glucans have been isolated from almost every species of yeast, grain, and fungi. These products have been extensively studied for their immunological and pharmacological effects. In this paper we evaluated the possibility whether individual β(1-3)-D-glucans will have an activity in less studied areas such as adipogenesis and inflammation. Our results showed that of the tested β(1-3)-D-glucans, yeast-derived insoluble Glucan #300, strongly inhibited adipogenic differentiation,supported wound healing and significantly lowered skin irritation. The remaining β(1-3)-D-glucans were significantly less active. Taken together, our study showed that with respect to natural β(1-3)-D-glucans, there is a clear yes-or-no effect suggesting that highly purified and highly active β(1-3)-D-glucans will have pleiotropic biological impact, whereas poorly isolated and/or less active β(1-3)-D-glucans will have only mediocre properties.

Essential Oils from Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Chemical Composition and Biological Effects in Mouse Model

Vaclav Vetvicka,Jana Vetvickova 한국식품영양과학회 2016 Journal of medicinal food Vol.19 No.12

Thymus species are popular spices and contain volatile oils as main chemical constituents. Recently, plant-derived essential oils are gaining significant attention due to their significant biological activities. Seven different thymus-derived essential oils were compared in our study. First, we focused on their chemical composition, which was followed up by testing their effects on phagocytosis, cytokine production, chemotaxis, edema inhibition, and liver protection. We found limited biological activities among tested oils, with no correlation between composition and biological effects. Similarly, no oils were effective in every reaction. Based on our data, the tested biological use of these essential oils is questionable.

Glucan and Humic Acid: Synergistic Effects on the Immune System

Vaclav Vetvicka,Roberto Baigorri,Angel M. Zamarreno,Jose M. Garcia-Mina,Jean-Claude Yvin 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.4

Humic acids are compounds resulting from decomposition of organic matter. Despite their common presence, our knowledge of their biological effects is limited, and current findings are controversial. We decided to evaluate the immunological effects of two different types of humic acids, differing in source and biochemical characteristics. Using both components either alone or in combination with the well-established yeast-derived immunomodulator glucan, we measured their effects on both the cellular (phagocytosis and tumor suppression) and humoral (antibody production and cytokine secretion) branches of immune reactions. In summary, our results suggest that humic acids are biologically active immunodulators affecting both the humoral and cellular branches of immune reactions. In addition, the two humic acids studied here are working in synergy in stimulation of the immune reaction, supporting further studies of these natural immunomodulators.

The Relative Abundance of Oxygen Alkyl-Related Groups in Aliphatic Domains Is Involved in the Main Pharmacological-Pleiotropic Effects of Humic Acids

Vaclav Vetvicka,Aruna Vashishta,Marta Fuentes,Roberto Baigorri,Jose M. Garcia-Mina,Jean-Claude Yvin 한국식품영양과학회 2013 Journal of medicinal food Vol.16 No.7

Despite the rather common presence of humic acid (HA), our full knowledge of its biological effect is still lacking. In this article, we first performed a physicochemical characterization of several HAs, and next, we evaluated their ability to affect interleukin-2 secretion, antibody secretion, wound healing (an in vitro model using HaCaT cells), cancer growth (the Lewis lung carcinoma model), and protection against hepatotoxicity. In all tested reactions, HA showed significant stimulation on immune reactions, including suppression of cancer growth and inhibition of lipopolysaccharideinduced hepatotoxicity. These effects were dependent on its chemical properties. The pleiotropic effects of HA observed in this article suggest the possible role of these compounds in human nutrition.

Humic Acid and Glucan: Protection Against Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride

Vaclav Vetvicka,Jose M. Garcia-Mina,Mary Proctor,Jean-Claude Yvin 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.5

Humic acids (HAs) have a rather pleiotropic presence, however, their biological effects are still unclear. In this study, we focused on possible hepatoprotective effects of either HA alone or in combination with b-glucan. Using a model of experimental hepatotoxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4), we showed that both HA and the glucan-HA combination offered significant protection against hepatotoxicity, with the combination offering superior effects. Our biochemical observations were confirmed by histological evaluation. Based on the experimental data, we conclude that whereas HA has significant effects, the synergy with glucan offers superior effects.

Biological Properties of (1 → 3)-β-D-Glucan-Based Synthetic Oligosaccharides

Sujata Saraswat-Ohri,Aruna Vashishta,Vaclav Vetvicka,Karine Descroix,Frank Jamois,Jean-Claude Yvin,Vincent Ferrie`res 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.4

Despite the fact that β-glucans are well-established immunomodulators, the problems with batch-to-batch heterogeneity remains problematic. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate new type of synthetic oligosaccharides. A new family of oligo-(1 → 3)-β-D-glucans modified on the reducing end was synthesized using a controlled and specific inversion of configuration at C-2 starting from already formed oligo-(1 → 3)-β-D-glucans. The designed glycosides are characterized by the presence of four or five glucopyranose entities and a mannose residue at the reducing end. To study of the impact of well-defined structural modulations, we used murine and human models to evaluate their immunostimulating potential. These novel oligosaccharides showed strong and long-lasting stimulation of phagocytosis and significant potentiation of synthesis and/or secretion of interleukin (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, the oligosaccharides tested showed significant effects on expression of several genes in human fibroblasts and breast cancer cells. From our results it is clear that these synthetic oligosaccharides represent a better alternative to natural β-glucans.