Alteration of beta-D-glucan from edible mushroom after injection into mouse peritoneal cavity

Tritium-labeled antitumor beta-D-glucan derivative (T-labeled glucan) was prepared from the branched beta-1,3-D-glucan of an edible mushroom, Volvariella volvacea, by its periodate oxidation followed by reduction with NaBT4. Twenty-three hours after T-labeled glucan had been injected into the mouse peritoneal cavity, about 3% of the total radioactivity injected was found in the mouse serum. In spite of the fact that T-labeled glucan had no affinity to the anion-exchange column before injection, about 50% of the labeled beta-D-glucan in the serum thus obtained was adsorbed onto the column. The labeled beta-D-glucan fraction eluted from the column by salt gradient showed antitumor activity in vivo.