J Biomed Res.  2013 Mar;14(1):23-27.

Immunomodulatory effect of beta-glucan derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains

• Lee YO
• Shin MS
• Lee WK

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate immunopotentiating activities of beta-glucan derived from Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae and to select new strains having possibility as an immune-enhancing substance. We examined SB20 strains derived from commercial product as a control, and extracted beta-glucans from the four strains of S. cerevisiae. RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with heat-killed yeasts, beta-glucans, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were then quantified. When macrophages were induced directly by in vitro addition of beta-glucan, little production of NO and IL-1beta was observed. When pretreated with strong stimulants, i.e., LPS, most yeasts showed down-modulation of NO and IL-1beta production. However, TNF-alpha secretion was triggered by beta-glucans and even more increased by the mixture effect of LPS and beta-glucans. In particular, S6 strain induced TNF-alpha secretion more than other strains. Therefore, we can conclude that the S6 strain has possibility as an immune-enhancing substance.

Keyword

Saccharomyces cerevisiae; beta-glucan; macrophage; NO; cytokine

MeSH Terms

beta-Glucans
Cytokines
Macrophages
Nitric Oxide
Saccharomyces
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Sprains and Strains
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Yeasts
Cytokines
Nitric Oxide
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
beta-Glucans