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Updated: May 15, 2026
Isolation and Purification of Fungal β-Glucan as an Immunotherapy Strategy for Glioblastoma
Published on: June 2, 2023
[Beta-glucan as a natural anticancer agent]
Ewelina Jurczyńska1, Jolanta Saczko, Julita Kulbacka
1Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Scinces, Poland, Department of Food Storage and Technology.
Abstract:
Beta-glucans participate in the processes of repair, metabolism and detoxification, and affect the overall health of the body counteract the pathological conditions of reactive oxygen and nitrogen and the processes in which they participate. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Production of ROS is an integral part of aerobic metabolism of cells. Physiological concentrations of ROS play an important role in proper functioning of many cellular processes, and their overproduction occurs during induced oxidative stress. Very closely associated with oxidative stress is nitrosative stress. Nitric oxide (NO) reacts with molecular oxygen, superoxide anion radical and metal cations to give more reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen react with proteins to cause impairment of their function by oxidation or nitrosylation of amino acid residues, which can direct the path of apoptotic cells. In addition, nitric oxide enhances the effect induced by cyclooxygenase and becomes a mediator of inflammation.
Insights
Beta-glucans support health by counteracting harmful reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. These compounds help mitigate cellular damage and inflammation linked to oxidative and nitrosative stress.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Context:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are integral to aerobic metabolism but contribute to disease pathogenesis when overproduced.
- Oxidative and nitrosative stress, closely linked phenomena, involve ROS/RNS damaging cellular components like proteins.
- Nitric oxide (NO) can exacerbate inflammation and cellular damage through various reactions.
Purpose:
- To elucidate the role of beta-glucans in cellular repair, metabolism, and detoxification.
- To investigate how beta-glucans counteract pathological conditions induced by ROS and RNS.
- To understand the impact of beta-glucans on cellular processes affected by oxidative and nitrosative stress.
Summary:
- Beta-glucans actively participate in cellular repair, metabolism, and detoxification pathways.
- They counteract the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, thereby supporting overall health.
- Beta-glucans modulate cellular responses to oxidative and nitrosative stress, protecting against protein damage and inflammation.
Impact:
- Beta-glucans demonstrate potential as therapeutic agents for conditions associated with oxidative and nitrosative stress.
- Understanding their mechanisms can lead to novel strategies for managing inflammatory diseases.
- This research highlights beta-glucans' role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventing disease progression.