Research Abstract
Pilot Study: Orally-Administered Yeast β1,3-glucan Prophylactically Protects Against Anthrax Infection and Cancer in Mice
Vaclav Vetvicka, PhD,1 Kiyomi Terayama, MD,2 Rosemonde Mandeville, MD, PhD,3
Pauline Brousseau, PhD,3 Bill Kournikakis, PhD,4 Gary Ostroff, PhD5*
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; 2Department of Pathology, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Sugano Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan; 3Biophage Pharma Inc., Montreal, Quebec Canada; 4Defence Research Establishment Suffield, Ralston, Alberta Canada; 5 Biopolymer Engineering, Inc., Eagan, Minnesota
The Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association.
Vol. 5, No. 2, Spring 2002
β1,3-glucans from various bacterial, mushroom, yeast, and cereal sources have been established as immunomodulators. In the present paper we demonstrate that orallyadministered yeast β1,3-glucan (WGP Beta Glucan) had significant effects as a prophylactic treatment to reduce the mortality of anthrax infection in mice. In addition, the same type of treatment also inhibited the growth of cancer cells in vivo. The mechanism of action involves the stimulation of three important cytokines: IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. These results provide preclinical evidence for the beneficial effects of orally-administered yeast β1,3-glucan.