Effects of Beta Glucans on Immune System: Current Approaches

Abstract

Beta glucans are by-products that have added-value in the field of health which have been the subject of scientific studies for many years. Studies have shed light on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties of beta glucans. Many countries have approved beta glucans as nutritional supplements for healthy living. There are studies showing that beta glucans have protective and therapeutic properties against COVID-19, which has been on the agenda in recent years. Although the molecular pathways through which they reveal their protective and therapeutic properties have not been fully determined, the studies on effects of beta glucan on immune system continue. The aim of this review is to present the activities of beta glucans on the immune system and especially against viral diseases in the light of current literature. Within the scope of the study, 60 current English scientific references which reflect the importance of the subject, were screened and reviewed. Consequently, it has been determined that beta glucans have properties of immunomodulation, adaptive immunity, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and positive effects on health.

Keywords

• Beta glucan
• COVID-19
• immunomodulation
• inflammation.

Beta Glukanların Bağışıklık Üzerine Etkileri: Güncel Yaklaşımlar

Abstract

Beta glukanlar, uzun yıllar boyunca bilimsel çalışmalara konu olmuş, sağlık alanında katma değere sahip yan ürünlerdir. Yapılan çalışmalar, beta glukanların antioksidan, antiinflamatuvar, antiviral özelliklerine ışık tutmuştur. Çok sayıda ülke beta glukanları sağlıklı yaşam için besin takviyesi olarak onaylamıştır. Son yıllarda sürekli gündemde olan COVID-19’a karşı da beta glukanların koruyucu ve tedavi edici özelliklere sahip olduğunu gösteren çalışmalar bulunmaktadır. Koruyucu ve tedavi edici özelliklerini hangi moleküler yolaklar üzerinden ortaya koydukları tam anlamıyla kesinleşmemiş olsa da beta glukanların bağışıklık sistemi üzerindeki etkilerine yönelik araştırmalar devam etmektedir. Bu derlemenin amacı, beta glukanların bağışıklık sistemi üzerindeki ve özellikle de viral hastalıklara karşı olan etkinliklerini güncel literatür ışığında sunmaktır. Çalışma kapsamında özellikle güncel ve konunun önemini yansıtan, 60 adet İngilizce bilimsel kaynak taranarak derlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, beta glukanların immünmodulasyon, edinsel bağışıklık, antioksidan ve anti-inflamatuvar özelliklerinin olduğu, sağlık üzerine olumlu etkiler gösterdikleri belirlenmiştir.

Keywords

• Beta glukan
• COVID-19
• immünomodülasyon
• inflamasyon.

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