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The beta-glucans derived from yeast cell walls have been reported for having many immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Aureobasidium-derived soluble branched (1,3-1,6) beta-glucan (Sophy beta-glucan) was checked for natural killer (NK) activity and for the production of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in Leishmania amazonensis infection. The main experiment was performed with a group of female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, orally supplemented with 5% of Sophy beta-glucan and infected with promastogotes of L. amazonensis (1 x 10(7)) into the footpad. Increase in the footpad thickness with time was observed in BALB/c mice in spite of the oral Sophy beta-glucan supplement, but it was less in C57BL/6 mice. The difference in overall mean footpad thickness between 'infection only' versus 'infection + glucan' groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). High NK activity in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice was observed in 'glucan only' group compared to the control group and also in 'infection + glucan' group compared to 'infection only' group. The difference in the NK activity among these groups was significant (P < 0.05). The IFN-gamma level increased at weeks 7 and 8 post-infection in C57BL/6 mice and was significantly high in 'infection + glucan' group compared to the 'infection only' group (P < 0.05). IL-4 levels did not increase up to detectable levels throughout the study. The results led a conclusion that Sophy beta-glucan enhances NK activity and cellular immunity in L. amazonensis-infected mice.

The article presents the results of a study on the influence of Sophy ß-glucan on the growth and immunity development in broiler chicken. According to the authors, broiler chickens treated with one percent of ß-glucan and ad libitum with water resulted an increase in the mean body weight and the mean antibody titres, illustrating the presence of immue stimulating effect of ß-glucan. They add that the immuno-modularity role of ß-glucan in partitioning nutrients towards growth could be the reason for the improved growth of broiler chicken.

The β-glucans derived from yeast cell walls have been reported for having many immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Aureobasidium-derived soluble branched (1,3-1,6) β-glucan (Sophy β-glucan) was checked for natural killer (NK) activity and for the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in Leishmania amazonensis infection. The main experiment was performed with a group of female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, orally supplemented with 5% of Sophy β-glucan and infected with promastogotes of L. amazonensis (1 x 107) into the footpad. Increase in the footpad thickness with time was observed in BALB/c mice in spite of the oral Sophy b-glucan supplement, but it was less in C57BL/6 mice. The difference in overall mean footpad thickness between 'infection only' versus 'infection + glucan' groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). High NK activity in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice was observed in 'glucan only' group compared to the control group and also in 'infection + glucan' group compared to 'infection only' group. The difference in the NK activity among these groups was significant (P < 0.05). The IFN-γ level increased at weeks 7 and 8 post-infection in C57BL/6 mice and was significantly high in 'infection + glucan' group compared to the 'infection only' group (P < 0.05). IL-4 levels did not increase up to detectable levels throughout the study. The results led a conclusion that Sophy β-glucan enhances NK activity and cellular immunity in L. amazonensis-infected mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sophy β-glucan, a type of β-1,3-1,6 glucan produced by a black yeast Aureobasidium pollulans strain AF0-202, is currently approved for use as a health food supplement. The new genotypic avian influenza H5N1 is one of the major emerging infectious diseases causing concern and loss in Vietnam, Asian and several European countries during the 2003-2008 period. We examined the effect of Sophy β-glucan on the immune response against the new H5N1 vaccine made in Vietnam/China and H5N2 made in China. As a result, both H5N1 and H5N2 vaccines elicited a significantly high immune response with Sophy β-glucan supplied in drinking water in all the mice tested (2-3 log2 higher HI titer). These vaccines also elicitated ELISA positivity (ELISA (+): seroconversion) 10-20% higher than those used in groups vaccinated without Sophy β-glucan. We conclude that Sophy β-glucan showed an excellent adjuvant effect on H5N1 and H5N2 vaccinations in a mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]