1.β -Glucan Improves Protective Qi Status in Adults with Protective Qi Deficiency-A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, and Double-Blinded Trial.
Jun-Rong WU ; Hao-Jie CHENG ; Jian-Pin SHI ; Wei-Dong YIN ; Jun WANG ; Xuan-Qiao OU ; Jin-Li CHEN ; Ira BERNSTEIN ; Mark LEVY ; Rolando MADDELA ; Robert SINNOTT ; Jun-Qiang TIAN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2022;28(5):394-402
OBJECTIVE:
To test the hypothesis that β -glucan enhances protective qi (PQi), an important Chinese medicine (CM) concept which stipulates that a protective force circulates throughout the body surface and works as the first line of defense against "external pernicious influences".
METHODS:
A total of 138 participants with PQi deficiency (PQD) were randomized to receive β -glucan (200 mg daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. Participants' PQi status was assessed every 2 weeks via conventional diagnosis and a standardized protocol from which a PQD severity and risk score was derived. Indices of participants' immune and general health status were also monitored, including upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), saliva secretory IgA (sIgA), and self-reported measures of physical and mental health (PROMIS).
RESULTS:
PQi status was not significantly different between the β -glucan and placebo treatment groups at baseline but improved significantly in the β -glucan (vs. placebo) group in a time-dependent manner. The intergroup differences [95% confidence interval (CI)] in severity score (scale: 1-5), risk score (scale: 0-1), and proportion of PQD participants (%) at finish line was 0.49 (0.35-0.62), 0.48 (0.35-0.61), and 0.36 (0.25-0.47), respectively. Additionally, β -glucan improved URTI symptom (scale: 1-9) and PROMIS physical (scale: 16.2-67.7) and mental (scale: 21.2-67.6) scores by a magnitude (95% CI) of 1.0 (0.21-1.86), 5.7 (2.33-9.07), and 3.0 (20.37-6.37), respectively, over placebo.
CONCLUSIONS
β -glucan ameliorates PQi in PQD individuals. By using stringent evidence-based methodologies, our study demonstrated that Western medicine-derived remedies, such as β -glucan, can be employed to advance CM therapeutics. (ClinicalTrial.Gov registry: NCT03782974).
Adult
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Double-Blind Method
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Humans
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Qi
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Risk Factors
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Self Report
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beta-Glucans/therapeutic use*
2.Sperm quality improvement after natural anti-oxidant treatment of asthenoteratospermic men with leukocytospermia.
Paola PIOMBONI ; Laura GAMBERA ; Francesca SERAFINI ; Giovanna CAMPANELLA ; Giuseppe MORGANTE ; Vincenzo De LEO
Asian Journal of Andrology 2008;10(2):201-206
AIMTo study the immune-modulating and anti-oxidant effects of beta-glucan, papaya, lactoferrin, and vitamins C and E on sperm characteristics of patients with asthenoteratozoospermia associated with leucocytosis.
METHODSFifty-one patients referred to our Sterility Center for semen analysis were selected. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after patient's treatment with beta-glucan, lactoferrin, papaya, and vitamins C and E. DNA damage was assessed by the acridine orange test and sperm structural characteristics were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTSAfter 90 days of treatment, an increase in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (17.0 +/- 5.2 vs. 29.8 +/- 6.5) and total progressive motility (19.0 +/- 7.8 vs. 34.8 +/- 6.8) were detected. Structural sperm characteristics as well as chromatin integrity were also improved after treatment. In terms of leukocyte concentration in seminal fluid, a significant reduction was recorded (2.2 +/- 0.9 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.2).
CONCLUSIONThe treatment of an inflammatory process by the synergic action of immune modulators and anti-oxidants could protect sperm during maturation and migration, leading to improved sperm function.
Adult ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Ascorbic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Asthenozoospermia ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Carica ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; therapeutic use ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin E ; therapeutic use ; beta-Glucans ; therapeutic use
3.Influence of poly-β-1-6-N-acetylglucosamine on biofilm formation and drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii.
Chinese Journal of Burns 2015;31(1):45-47
Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as one of the leading bacteria for nosocomial infections, especially in burn wards and ICUs. The bacteria can easily form biofilm and readily attach to abiotic and biotic surfaces, resulting in persistent biofilm-mediated infections. Being surrounded by self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), the microorganisms in biofilm can acquire protective property against detrimental environment and their tolerance toward antibiotics is increased. Poly-β-1-6-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG), the common constituent of EPS in Acinetobacter baumannii, acts as the key virulence factor and plays a crucial role in biofilm formation process. This review describes the properties and functions of the PNAG and its influence on biofilm formation and drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii.
Acinetobacter Infections
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drug therapy
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Acinetobacter baumannii
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drug effects
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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therapeutic use
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Biofilms
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drug effects
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growth & development
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Burns
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Cross Infection
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Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
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beta-Glucans
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metabolism
4.Biomedical Issues of Dietary fiber beta-Glucan.
Soo Young KIM ; Hong Ji SONG ; Yoon Young LEE ; Kyung Hwan CHO ; Yong Kyun ROH
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2006;21(5):781-789
beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide in the form of fiber and the main element of fiber in grains such as barley, oats, yeast and mushrooms. Many studies have examined the efficacy of beta-Glucan in terms of the lipid lowering effects, blood sugar reduction, weight reduction, immune modulator, and anticarcinogenic effect. However, there is no comprehensive review article on the biomedical issues regarding beta-Glucan. The authors searched for systematic reviews and clinical experiments for each relevant topic and reviewed the biomedical effects of beta-Glucan, for the purpose of developing research strategies for the future.
beta-Glucans/administration & dosage/*pharmacology/therapeutic use
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Neoplasms/drug therapy
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Infection/drug therapy
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Humans
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Dietary Supplements
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Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage/*pharmacology/therapeutic use
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Cholesterol/blood
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Body Weight/drug effects
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Blood Glucose/analysis
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Anticholesteremic Agents/pharmacology
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Animals