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Published on: August 7, 2017
Production of interleukin-10 in asthmatic children after Beta-1-3-glucan
E Sarinho1, D Medeiros, D Schor
1Maternal and Child Department of Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil. emanuel.sarinho@gmail.com
Insights
Beta-1-3 glucan, a compound from yeast, may help asthma by increasing Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. This study showed increased IL-10 and reduced symptoms in children with asthma after glucan injections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Beta-1-3 glucan, derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, exhibits potential immunomodulatory effects.
- Preliminary research suggests a favorable impact on asthma and allergic disease symptoms.
- Murine models show decreased pulmonary eosinophilia and increased Interleukin-10 (IL-10) post-glucan administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of subcutaneous Beta-1-3 glucan on serum IL-10 levels in children with persistent asthma.
- To evaluate changes in asthma symptom scores following glucan treatment.
Main Methods:
- An open, exploratory study involving 20 children (6-12 years) with mild to moderate persistent asthma.
- Participants received weekly then bi-weekly subcutaneous Beta-1-3 glucan injections over eight weeks.
- Serum IL-10 levels were measured using ELISA before and after treatment; symptom scores were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Mean serum IL-10 levels significantly increased from 6.4 pg/ml to 11.3 pg/ml (p = 0.02) post-glucan administration.
- A reduction in the overall asthmatic symptom score was observed at the study's conclusion.
- The study included 14 males and 6 females, indicating a potential gender distribution in response.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence that subcutaneous Beta-1-3 glucan administration elevates serum IL-10 in asthmatic patients.
- Beta-1-3 glucan may modulate allergic sensitization and restore Th2 function, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue.
- Further controlled clinical trials are warranted to confirm these findings and assess the therapeutic potential of Beta-1-3 glucan in asthma management.
Background:
Beta-1-3 Glucan is a polysaccharide extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a possible immunomodulating action that may have a favourable action on asthma symptoms and other allergic diseases. An experimental study carried out using a murine respiratory model detected a decrease in pulmonary tissue eosinophilia, as well as an increase in Interleukin-10 (IL-10) after glucan use.
Methods:
This open, exploratory study with blind outcome evaluation included asthmatic children between 6 and 12 years of age with mild to moderate persistent asthma and inadequate disease control (rescue medication needed more than twice a week) in spite of inhaled budesonide 400 microg/day. After a four week run-in period, subcutaneous Beta-1-3-glucan injections were given weekly for the first four weeks and then every two weeks for the last four weeks. IL-10 levels, measured by the immunoenzymatic method (ELISA), were compared before and after glucan administration.
Results:
Twenty patients (14 male and 6 female) were included. Mean IL-10 levels were 6.4 pg/ml and 11.3 pg/ml before and after glucan, respectively (p = 0.02). There was also a reduction of asthmatic symptoms score at the end of study.
Conclusions:
This is the first study which shows that subcutaneous particulate Beta-1-3-glucan increases serum IL-10 levels in asthmatics. The possibility of glucan being able to modulate allergic sensitisation and having a beneficial action in restoring Th2 function should be assessed by means of properly planned controlled clinical trials, as it may represent a new therapeutic strategy.
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