Abstract
β-D-glucans belong to a group of natural, physiologically active compounds, generally called biological response modifiers. Glucans represent highly conserved structural components of cell walls in yeast, fungi, or seaweed. Despite long history of research, the exact mechanisms of glucan action remain unsolved. The present review starts with the history of glucans. Next, the detailed information about the possible glucan sources is followed by a description of the mechanisms of action. Physiological functions of glucan suggest the possible use of glucans not only as non-specific immunomodulator, but also as its possible future use as a drug.
Keywords: Glucan, saccharides, immune system, macrophages, CR3, yeast
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Glucans as Biological Response Modifiers
Volume: 9 Issue: 1
Author(s): M. Novak and V. Vetvicka
Affiliation:
Keywords: Glucan, saccharides, immune system, macrophages, CR3, yeast
Abstract: β-D-glucans belong to a group of natural, physiologically active compounds, generally called biological response modifiers. Glucans represent highly conserved structural components of cell walls in yeast, fungi, or seaweed. Despite long history of research, the exact mechanisms of glucan action remain unsolved. The present review starts with the history of glucans. Next, the detailed information about the possible glucan sources is followed by a description of the mechanisms of action. Physiological functions of glucan suggest the possible use of glucans not only as non-specific immunomodulator, but also as its possible future use as a drug.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Novak M. and Vetvicka V., Glucans as Biological Response Modifiers, Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets 2009; 9 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187153009787582423
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187153009787582423 |
Print ISSN 1871-5303 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3873 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ in Vascular Biology
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Pivotal Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Activated Protein Kinase 2 in Inflammatory Pulmonary Diseases
Current Protein & Peptide Science Probiotics and Oral Health
Current Pharmaceutical Design New Strategy on Antimicrobial-resistance: Inhibitors of DNA Replication Enzymes
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Optimal Route of Administration of the Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonist Abciximab During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Intravenous Versus Intracoronary
Current Cardiology Reviews Discovery of Chromen-7-yl Furan-2-Carboxylate as a Potent and Selective Factor XIa Inhibitor
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Monitoring and Surveillance of Obesity in the United States
Current Nutrition & Food Science Targeting the Cancer Biomarker CD47: A Review on the Diverse Mechanisms of the CD47 Pathway in Cancer Treatment
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Heart Disease Induced by AAS Abuse, Using Experimental Mice/Rats Models and the Role of Exercise-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Let Them Eat Cake
Current Nutrition & Food Science Nano-Systems for Advanced Therapeutics and Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Heart Disease Prediction System Using Decision Tree and Naive Bayes Algorithm
Current Medical Imaging Applied Computational Techniques on Schizophrenia Using Genetic Mutations
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Anti-Arrhythmic Properties of N-3 Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 PUFA)
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Anti-Inflammatory Potential of ACE2/Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas Receptor Axis: Evidence from Basic and Clinical Research
Current Drug Targets Detection of a Left Atrial Thrombus Under Fondaparinux Treatment: A Case Report
Current Drug Safety Mimicking Microvascular Alterations of Human Diabetic Retinopathy: A Challenge for the Mouse Models
Current Medicinal Chemistry Antimalarial Drugs and their Useful Therapeutic Lives: Rational Drug Design Lessons from Pleiotropic Action of Quinolines and Artemisinins
Current Drug Discovery Technologies The Role of Size in Development of Mucosal Liposome-Lipopeptide Vaccine Candidates Against Group A Streptococcus
Medicinal Chemistry Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome and Diabetes. Fortuitous Association or Interaction?
Current Diabetes Reviews