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Growing concerns over antibiotic resistance have led to restrictions on antimicrobial use in various regions, including the European Union, prompting the search for alternative strategies to promote gut health. Of these, postbiotics have emerged as a promising strategy due to their potential immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and gut barrier-enhancing properties. Despite extensive research regarding human health, the application of postbiotics in swine nutrition remains unexplored, with limited and inconclusive findings. The definition of postbiotics has evolved, leading to inconsistencies in the literature regarding their classification and functional properties. This review aimed to clarify the concept, the definition, and classification, and evaluate the types and effects of postbiotic supplementation on the health and performance of pigs. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus, employing search terms mainly related to "postbiotic preparation" (i.e., cell wall fragments, exopolysaccharides, etc.) and "pig category" (gestating and lactating sows, suckling and post-weaning pigs). The search yielded 2 151 articles (published between 1982 and 2025), and 33 fulfilled the eligibility criteria (studies on swine and studies in which the postbiotic respected the latest definition of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics). The findings indicate that postbiotics derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus species are the most extensively investigated. Based on the explored studies, the mechanisms of action of the various postbiotics appear to be closely linked to their specific bioactive components and, consequently, to the originating microbial strains. Postbiotics derived from both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus demonstrated beneficial effects on gut health pillars in both sows and piglets. Sows' supplementation enhanced immunoglobulin concentrations in blood (31%) and milk (58%) while reducing oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, 34%). In weaned pigs, postbiotic supplementation reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tumour Necrosis Factor-α, Interleukin 1

Obesity-related dyslipidemia and hypertension are the key drivers of global cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Although the lipid-lowering capacity of beta-glucan has been demonstrated in the general population, evidence regarding its effects on dyslipidemia and hypertension in overweight and obese populations remains limited. As of April 23, 2025, we searched nine databases. Two reviewers independently conducted study screening, data extraction, and bias assessment. We assessed the effects of cereal beta-glucan (CBG) on lipids, blood pressure, and anthropometric parameters in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg m-2. This article included 49 eligible studies involving 3854 subjects. Pooled analyses showed that CBG significantly reduced total cholesterol [TC, -0.24 mmol L-1 (-0.31, -0.17), P < 0.001] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C, -0.19 mmol L-1 (-0.25, -0.13), P < 0.001], particularly with doses ≥3 g day-1 and durations ≥6 weeks. Oat beta-glucan also lowered the systolic blood pressure [SBP, -1.38 mmHg (-2.66, -0.09), P = 0.036]. No effects were observed for triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, or body weight. BMI results were conflicting owing to publication bias. In conclusion, CBG reduces TC and LDL-C, and oat beta-glucan may modestly lower SBP in overweight and obese populations. These results support evidence-based recommendations for integrating CBG into CVD prevention strategies.

Prebiotics, particularly non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs), are increasingly recognized for their role in modulating immune responses in the gut, lungs, and urinary tract. This review systematically evaluates evidence from human studies on the effects of NDCs and prebiotics on immune markers, infection risk and severity, inflammation, and vaccine responses. Prebiotics such as inulin, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) positively influence gut microbiota by promoting beneficial species like Bifidobacteria. They also enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which interact with immune cells via G-protein-coupled receptors, inducing anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to microbiota-mediated mechanisms, NDCs and prebiotics may directly affect immune and epithelial cells by interacting with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), enhancing gut barrier function, and modulating immunity. A systematic review of human studies showed that prebiotics, including GOS, FOS, and 2'-fucosyllactose (2FL), reduced infections and increased IgA in healthy infants, while yeast β-glucan reduced respiratory infection symptoms in healthy adults. Yeast β-glucan and GOS supplementation resulted in improvements in NK cell activity. Some effects on vaccine efficacy were noted in young adults, but the overall impact of NDCs and prebiotics on vaccination and systemic inflammation was inconsistent. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms involved and to optimize health applications.

Background: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements in breast cancer patients, focusing on their impact on clinical outcomes, treatment-related side effects, and therapy adherence. Methods: Only RCTs investigating the effects of various orally administered supplements in adult breast cancer patients were included. Well-defined substances like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and specific herbal extracts were explored. The review excluded studies solely based on dietary interventions or non-supplemental approaches. The primary outcome assessed was quality of life. Secondary outcomes included disease-free survival, overall survival, tumor response, and biomarkers indicative of disease progression. Results: A total of 45 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this systematic review. Overall, supplementation was not associated with serious adverse events in the included trials. Vitamin D supplementation showed promise in some studies, with potential immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects, particularly when combined with other interventions. Omega-3 fatty acids and beta-glucan demonstrated potential in alleviating certain symptoms and improving quality of life. Studies on amino acids like acetyl-L-carnitine and L-arginine also yielded mixed results. Beta-glucan exhibited potential for immune-enhancing effects, while melatonin and creatine showed limited or no benefit for fatigue or muscle strength. Herbal extracts, including silymarin, curcumin, and EGCG, had varied effects. Curcumin studies presented mixed results. Silymarin showed potential for hepatoprotective effects. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of specific dietary supplements to improve various aspects of breast cancer care. However, the evidence is mixed across supplement types, and further research is needed to determine the most effective and safe approaches.

Background: In recent years, oats' effect on lowering serum cholesterol has been recognized. However, no systematic reviews summarized the effect of daily consumption of oat-based products on serum lipids in patients with dyslipidemia. Methods: We searched eight databases and two clinical trial registries from inception to July 31, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of oat-based products (≥4 weeks) on lipid levels or cardiovascular events in patients with dyslipidemia. Two authors independently screened articles, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies with Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2.0. We used STATA 17.0 to conduct meta-analysis and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess the certainty of evidence. Results: We finally included 17 eligible trials with 1731 subjects. The oat intervention varied from oat β-glucan-based products to oat bran-based products and wholegrain oat. Overall, the risk of bias of included trials was high or some concerns were noted because of the inadequate randomization, allocation concealment, and inappropriate data analysis method. Compared to the placebo or usual diet, one study indicated that oat-based products have no significant difference in major cardiovascular events. Pooled estimates showed that oat-based products may result in a large reduction in LDL-C (WMD, -0.24 mmol L-1; 95% CI: -0.33, -0.15) (moderate certainty) and TC (WMD, -0.32 mmol L-1; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.17) (moderate certainty). Compared to other diets (mainly other cereals), oat-based products probably reduce the level of LDL-C (WMD, -0.17 mmol L-1; 95% CI: -0.25, -0.08) (moderate certainty) and TC (WMD, -0.21 mmol L-1; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.12) (moderate certainty). Both groups showed that oat-based products had little effect on HDL-C and TG (moderate certainty). Oat-related adverse events were mostly gastrointestinal such as diarrhea, nausea, and flatulence being the most prevalent. Conclusions: Oat-based products may reduce TC and LDL-C, but have little effect on TG, HDL-C, and major cardiovascular events in patients with dyslipidemia.

The (1→3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) is a component of the fungal cell wall that can be detected in serum and used as an adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of invasive mold infections (IMI) in patients with hematologic cancer or other immunosuppressive conditions. However, its use is limited by modest sensitivity/specificity, inability to differentiate between fungal pathogens, and lack of detection of mucormycosis. Data about BDG performance for other relevant IMI, such as invasive fusariosis (IF) and invasive scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis (IS) are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity of BDG for the diagnosis of IF and IS through systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Immunosuppressed patients diagnosed with proven or probable IF and IS, with interpretable BDG data were eligible. A total of 73 IF and 27 IS cases were included. The sensitivity of BDG for IF and IS diagnosis was 76.7% and 81.5%, respectively. In comparison, the sensitivity of serum galactomannan for IF was 27%. Importantly, BDG positivity preceded the diagnosis by conventional methods (culture or histopathology) in 73% and 94% of IF and IS cases, respectively. Specificity was not assessed because of lacking data. In conclusion, BDG testing may be useful in patients with suspected IF or IS. Combining BDG and galactomannan testing may also help differentiating between the different types of IMI. Plain Language Summary: IF and IS are severe fungal infections for which diagnosis is often delayed. This meta-analysis shows that beta-glucan testing in serum had a sensitivity of about 80% for IF/IS and could detect the disease earlier compared to conventional diagnostic tests. © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Review recent developments on asthma associated with wood dust, given the increasing scale of wood handling and processing activities globally. RECENT FINDINGS: Work in wood industries is associated with a significantly increased risk of respiratory symptoms, rhinitis and asthma. This can be attributed to traditional processing techniques and newer technologies producing complex bioaerosol exposures, which may include chemicals. Meta-analysis studies indicate strong evidence for wood dusts as occupational sensitizers for asthma, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The global prevalence of asthma in wood workers ranges between 6-18% and for rhinitis 16-33%. Exposure estimates show wide variation. Risk factors include atopy and exposure to certain wood species, elevated current and cumulative particulate exposures. SUMMARY: Future studies should focus on better characterization of wood dust allergens and other bioaerosol components, specific immunoglobulin E responses to different wood species, pathophysiological mechanisms underlying asthma, and modelling dose-response relationships using refined exposure metrics for dust particulate and other bioaerosol components. There is a need for improved health-based international exposure standards and effective workplace control measures to reduce exposures to wood dust particulate (hard and soft woods), endotoxin and β-glucan, to reduce the risks of asthma in wood workers.

BACKGROUND: Soluble dietary fibers are known to reduce the levels of blood glucose and lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes). Although several different dietary fiber supplements are utilized, to our knowledge, no previous study has ranked their efficacy yet. OBJECTIVES: We performed this systematic review and network meta-analysis to rank the effects of different types of soluble dietary fibers. METHODS: We performed our last systematic search on November 20, 2022. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included adult patients with type 2 diabetes and compared the intake of soluble dietary fibers with that of another type of dietary fiber or no fiber. The outcomes were related to glycemic and lipid levels. The Bayesian method was used to perform a network meta-analysis and calculate the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve values to rank the interventions. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was applied to evaluate the overall quality of the evidence. RESULTS: We identified 46 RCTs, including data from 2685 patients who received 16 types of dietary fibers as intervention. Galactomannans had the highest effect on reducing the levels of HbA1c (SUCRA: 92.33%) and fasting blood glucose (SUCRA: 85.92%). With regard to fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR, β-glucans (SUCRA: 73.45%), and psyllium (SUCRA: 96.67%) were the most effective interventions. Galactomannans were ranked first in reducing the levels of triglycerides (SUCRA: 82.77%) and LDL cholesterol (SUCRA: 86.56%). With regard to cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels, xylo-oligosaccharides (SUCRA: 84.59%) and gum arabic (SUCRA: 89.06%) were the most effective fibers. Most comparisons had a low or moderate certainty of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Galactomannans were the most effective dietary fiber for reducing the levels of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was registered at PROSPERO as ID CRD42021282984.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It is well known that dietary fiber positively impacts the microbiome and health as a whole. However, the health effects of β-glucan, a dietary fiber extracted from oats, have been questioned when administered alone or incorporated into other foods. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of oats or β-glucan supplements on the lipid profile. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials with parallel-arm or crossover blinded interventions at least two weeks in duration, for hyperlipidemic or non-hyperlipidemic men and women ≥18 years of age were selected. Only single (participants blinded) or double-blinded studies that compared oat or isolated β-glucan with a placebo/control group were considered for this review. The databases EMBASE, PubMed, Web of science and CINHAL were searched, from the earliest indexed year available online to the end of January 2022. Random-effects models were used to combine the estimated effects extracted from individual studies, and data were summarized as standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: A total of 811 articles were screened for eligibility, and relevant data were extracted from 28 studies, totaling 1494 subjects. Oat interventions TC (-0.61, 95%CI: -0.84;-0.39, p < 0.00001, and -0.70, 95%CI: -1.07;-0.34, p = 0.0002, respectively) and LDL (-0.51, 95%CI: -0.71;-0.31, p < 0.00001, and -0.38, 95%CI: -0.60;-0.15, p = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, isolated β-glucan interventions from parallel-arm studies decreased TC (-0.73, 95%CI: -1.01;-0.45, p < 0.00001), LDL (-0.58, 95%CI: -0.85;-0.32, p < 0.0001) and triglycerides (-0.30, 95%CI: -0.49;-0.12, p = 0.001). HDL was not altered by either oat or isolated β-glucan (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, this review showed that both oat and isolated β-glucan interventions improved lipid profiles. Furthermore, the ingestion of oats or isolated β-glucan supplements are effective tools to combat dyslipidemia and should be considered in cardiovascular disease prevention.

BACKGROUND: Current clinical trials have had controversial results regarding the effects of oat consumption on blood pressure (BP) in adults. OBJECTIVE: The meta-analysis was conducted to systematically evaluate the effects of oat consumption on BP in adults. METHODS: Electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched until December 13, 2021 for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs published in English and that explored the effects of oat consumption on BP in adults under matched total energy intake were included. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed. The pooled effect size was expressed as mean difference and 95% CI. I2 statistics were used to quantify heterogeneity. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool, version 2. RESULTS: Twenty-one RCTs involving 1,569 participants were included. The pooled results indicated that consuming oats reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly (mean difference = -2.82 mm Hg; 95% CI -4.72 to -0.93 mm Hg; P = .004). Subgroup analyses indicated that oat consumption reduced SBP significantly in hypertensive participants, or when compared with control group participants who consumed refined grains. No significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was observed after oat consumption (mean difference = -1.16 mm Hg; 95% CI -2.37 to 0.04 mm Hg; P = .060). However, the sensitivity analysis of DBP, removal of individual studies, or "leave one out meta-analysis," showed a significant reduction in DBP, suggesting that the pooled result in the main analysis was not robust. Subgroup analyses showed that oat consumption did significantly reduce DBP in participants with baseline BP in the prehypertensive range. Both SBP and DBP were significantly reduced when the dosage of oat consumption was ≥5 g/day β-glucan, or the oat consumption duration was ≥8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Oat consumption is effective in reducing SBP levels, particularly in individuals whose baseline BP is in the hypertensive range or when compared with control group participants consuming refined grains at matched total energy intake.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Whole grains are rich in nutrients and have multiple health benefits, playing an important role in the diet. This study aims to investigate the acute effects of different whole grain pancakes on cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy subjects. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Twenty eligible healthy sub-jects (aged 19-24 years) were recruited, with baseline measurements including fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Then, the subjects were randomly allocated into four groups: the steamed bun (SB) group (control group), maize pancake (MP) group, buckwheat pancake (BP) group, and oat pancake (OP) group, with a serving size of 100g. Blood samples were collected at 0h, 0.5h, 1h, 2h, and 3h, respectively. After a one-week washout period, the volunteers consumed another type of pancake in a crossover manner until each volunteer had tried all four foods. Serum cardiometabolic risk factors were analyzed using standard methods. RESULTS: No significant differences in serum glucose, insulin, CRP, TG, and HDL-C concentrations were observed among the control group and three whole grain pancake groups. However, compared with the control group, the concentrations of serum TC and LDL-C in the oat pancake group were significantly reduced (p <0.05), which may be attributed to the presence of β-glucan and higher dietary fiber in oat pancakes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important dietary guidance for both pancake consumers and individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors.

β-Glucans stimulate the immune system, training it to recognize and respond to antigens, which bolsters immunity, including to vaccines. The present study evaluated the capacity of β-glucans to stimulate immunity subsequent to primary vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 with ChAdOx1. Thirty-four SARS-CoV-2-non-immune men (18-49 years) were split into two groups: one receiving 500 mg of oral insoluble yeast β-glucans daily (the glucan group) and the other a placebo (the control group). The supplementation period lasted fourteen days in total, including seven days before and seven days after the initial vaccine dosage. A series of blood samples were collected at three time points: M1 (prevaccination); M2 (30 days after the first vaccination); and M3 (30 days after booster). A lateral flow immunoassay was used to qualitatively identify IgM and IgG against the virus. The levels of antigen-specific IgG anti-spike (S1), receptor-binding domain (RBD), and nucleocapsid (N) were quantified using a LEGENDplex assay. The NeutraLISA assay was used to evaluate the neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Statistically significant results were defined as those with p < 0.05. Both groups produced similar amounts of NAbs after the first vaccination (M2). However, the glucan group had higher levels in M3, with a more uniform distribution. Furthermore, the levels of anti-S1 IgG in M2 exhibited elevated concentrations, indicating a significant positive correlation with NAbs levels obtained post-second dose (M3). In contrast, individuals who had immunity to common cold human coronaviruses (HCoVs), evidenced by the presence of IgG anti-N in M1 were associated with IgG anti-S1 only in M3, not correlated with NAbs levels. This finding indicates that cross-immunity from other HCoVs did not accelerate or direct the humoral immune response as was observed in the glucan group. Therefore, it can be inferred that the β-glucan supplementation was more effective than immunity from other HCoVs. The capacity of β-glucan to induce trained immunity (TRIM) has the potential to augment immune responses, thereby modifying antibody production in response to the vaccine stimulus. Future studies should evaluate the pote

Baker's yeast beta-glucan (BYBG) supplementation improves various aspects of immune system function, readiness, and response. The purpose of this study was to determine if the expression of immune maturation mRNA was also changed over the course of 6 weeks of BYBG supplementation at rest. In this exploratory study, a small group of participants (N = 20) were randomized into two groups: BYBG (weeks 0-2 = 50 mg/d; 2-4 = 125 mg/d; and 4-6 = 250 mg/d) or placebo. Blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks and analyzed for the expression of 785 mRNA (NanoString nCounter platform and Nanotube software; R v3.3.2). A total of 42 mRNAs in 21 annotated pathways (antigen presentation, apoptosis, B cell memory, cell cycle, chemokine signaling, cytotoxicity, DAP12 signaling, hypoxia response, IL-1 signaling, IL-10 signaling, MAPK signaling, myeloid immune response, NF-kB signaling, NK activity, Notch Signaling, PD1 signaling, Senescence/Quiescence, T cell checkpoint signaling, TCR signaling, TLR signaling, and TNF signaling), were significantly affected by BYBG at various time points. It is reasonable to speculate that the observed mRNA and associated pathways may underlie previously reported improvements in immune function with BYBG.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Medicinal mushrooms have been gaining increasing attention as functional foods; however, scientific evidence from human studies remains limited. METHODS: In this study, 50 participants were randomly assigned to receive either Restake or a placebo. Psychological and physiological parameters were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks using validated tools, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Serum biomarkers-cortisol, norepinephrine (NE), melatonin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and C-reactive protein (CRP)-were analyzed via ELISA. RESULTS: Anxiety, assessed by STAI-S and HAM-A, showed greater reductions in the Restake group at both 6 weeks (STAI-S: p = 0.025; HAM-A: p = 0.002) and 12 weeks (STAI-S: p = 0.011; HAM-A: p = 0.002). Depression (BDI) scores significantly decreased at 6 weeks (p < 0.001) and 12 weeks (p = 0.008). Fatigue levels showed significant reductions in general fatigue (p = 0.043), physical fatigue (p = 0.027), and mental fatigue (p = 0.043). Restake supplementation led to reductions in sleep quality scores (PSQI) at 6 weeks (p = 0.005) and 12 weeks (p < 0.001). Biomarker analysis revealed significant reductions (p < 0.001) in cortisol and ACTH levels and a decrease in CRP levels (p = 0.042). NE levels significantly (p = 0.033). Compared to the placebo group, Restake supplementation exhibited an increased morning melatonin trend after 12 weeks of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Restake supplementation was well tolerated and effectively reduced psychological stress, fatigue, and improved sleep quality without adverse effects. © 2026 The Author(s). Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Oat-based foods are widely recommended for dysphagia management and glycemic control, yet the impact of roasting conditions on their health benefits remains unclear. This study compared the postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses to oat pastes prepared from low-temperature (90-110 °C) and conventional high-temperature (160 °C) roasted oat flours, using refined rice (R) as a reference, in a randomized crossover trial involving 21 healthy young female adults. All oat pastes complied with Level 3 dysphagia safety standards as defined by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI). Results showed that low-temperature roasted oats (L0 and L40) elicited significantly lower postprandial glucose responses than high-temperature roasted oats (H30) and R did, while H30 induced comparable glycemic but higher insulinemic responses than R did. Notably, H30 exhibited impaired insulin sensitivity (higher HOMA-PP) and adverse second-meal effects, likely due to acrylamide formation (507.4 μg/kg) and reduced slowly digestible starch (SDS). In contrast, low-temperature roasting preserved β-glucan integrity, enhanced SDS and resistant starch (RS) content, and improved textural properties without detectable acrylamide. These results demonstrate that optimizing roasting temperatures can mitigate adverse metabolic effects while maintaining swallowing safety, offering critical insights for developing functional foods for elderly and dysphagic populations with specific glycemic management needs.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are common in childhood and impose substantial socioeconomic burden. β-Glucans, particularly pleuran from Pleurotus ostreatus, demonstrate immunomodulatory properties through the pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptor interactions. This study evaluated a novel chewable pleuran-based supplement with vitamin D and zinc for preventing respiratory infections in children with RRTIs. METHODS: This international, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 249 children with RRTIs from Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Serbia. Participants received either pleuran-based supplement (IMG® with vitamin D and zinc) or active placebo (vitamin D and zinc) for 3 months during respiratory infection season (October-March). Primary endpoint was total respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Secondary endpoints included RTI subtypes, RTI duration, missed school days, and safety evaluations. RESULTS: In total, 217 children completed the study (104 active, 113 placebo). The active group experienced significantly fewer total RTIs versus placebo (2.35 ± 1.25 vs. 2.77 ± 1.78; P = 0.042), representing 15.2% reduction over 3 months. Common cold episodes were reduced by 18.6% (1.53 ± 1.22 vs. 1.88 ± 1.25; P = 0.040). Effects were pronounced in children over 6 years (P = 0.026 for total RTIs; P = 0.005 for common cold) and evident after the first month (P = 0.037). Tonsillopharyngitis showed significant reductions in frequency (P = 0.003) and duration (P = 0.009). Post hoc analysis of children enrolled at respiratory season onset confirmed significant reductions in common cold frequency (P = 0.004) and duration (P = 0.023). The supplement demonstrated excellent tolerability with 98.7% compliance and only mild adverse events. CONCLUSION: Chewable pleuran-based supplement with vitamin D and zinc significantly reduced respiratory tract infections in children with RRTIs, with rapid onset and favourable safety profile, demonstrating therapeutic potential in this vulnerable population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06974747. © 2025. The Author(s).

Hypertension affects over 1.2 billion adults worldwide. While numerous pharmacological treatments are available for managing hypertension, dietary approaches may also offer beneficial alternatives or complementary strategies. High molecular weight (HMW) β-glucan, a fibre found in oats, may be responsible for reductions in systolic blood pressure. This pilot trial investigated the efficacy of HMW oat β-glucan in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with mild hypertension. Additionally, changes in heart rate, body weight, waist circumference, and dietary intake, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fibre were assessed. This study was conducted virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trial followed a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over design. During the treatment period, participants were provided breakfast cookies made from oats containing 4 g/day of HMW oat β-glucan. During the control period, participants received breakfast cookies made primarily from wheat, which does not contain a significant amount of β-glucan (0.12 g/day). Twenty-one people completed the trial. Consumption of oat β-glucan breakfast cookies for 4 weeks did not reduce systolic blood pressure (132.71 ± 1.92 vs. 132.9 ± 1.92, p = 0.95) or diastolic blood pressure (82.86 ± 1.43 vs. 82.38 ± 1.43, p = 0.98) compared to control. Waist circumference (p = 0.67), weight (p = 0.79), heart rate (p = 0.73), and dietary intake (protein (p = 29), carbohydrate (p = 0.45), fat (p = 12), and fibre (p = 0.64)) were unchanged. Our results indicate that oat β-glucan consumption does not affect systolic or diastolic blood pressure compared to a wheat-based control in middle age and older adults with mild hypertension.

Background/Objectives: Recent shifts in dietary patterns have led to reduced fiber consumption, corresponding with increasing rates of obesity and metabolic disorders. Barley-based cereals with high fiber content, particularly β-glucan, may provide superior metabolic and satiety benefits compared to corn-based alternatives. This study investigated whether barley-based cereals provide superior metabolic and satiety benefits compared to corn-based alternatives in overweight Korean adults. Methods: After selecting the most optimal cereal in the phase 1 study (acute postprandial research), a 6-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in phase 2. In the phase 2 trial, overweight adults (n = 30; mean age of 43 ± 10.89 years; 36.7% female) were randomly assigned to consume either barley (n = 15) or corn cereal (n = 15) daily for 6 weeks. Participants consumed approximately 50 g of available carbohydrates (either barley or corn cereal) in 190 mL milk. Outcome measures included anthropometric parameters, fasting blood glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), postprandial glucose, subjective satiety, and gut health. Results: After 6 weeks, between-group comparisons revealed significant differences favoring the barley group in body weight (barley: -0.33 kg vs. corn: +0.85 kg; difference: -1.18 kg, p = 0.027), BMI (barley: -0.14 kg/m2 vs. corn: +0.03 kg/m2; difference: -0.17 kg/m2, p = 0.014), and glycated albumin (barley: -0.78% vs. corn: +0.09%; difference: -0.87%, p = 0.032). Within-group analyses showed that the barley group exhibited significant reductions in percent body fat (-1.03%, p = 0.004), waist circumference (-3.64 cm, p = 0.003), waist-to-hip ratio (-0.02, p = 0.012), glycated albumin (-0.78%, p = 0.029), and LDL cholesterol (-10.57 mg/dL, p = 0.033). Conversely, the corn group showed significant increases in body weight (+0.85 kg, p = 0.026) and percent body fat (+0.84%, p = 0.020), with a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol (-2.84 mg/dL, p = 0.020). Conclusions: Barley-based cereals offer significant metabolic and satiety benefits for overweight adults compared to corn-based alternatives. These findings suggest t

Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a leading cause of cervical cancer worldwide. While prophylactic vaccines exist, many women remain at risk due to prior exposure or limited access to vaccination. Current treatments focus on ablating visible lesions but often fail to clear the virus completely. Adjunctive therapies that enhance immune clearance may improve outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate whether combining focused ultrasound with anti-HPV β-glucan therapy improves HPV clearance and vaginal microecology compared to focused ultrasound alone. A total of 44 women diagnosed with persistent HPV infection were enrolled at Shandong Provincial Third Hospital between October 2022 and December 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to either focused ultrasound alone (control group) or combination therapy (focused ultrasound plus β-glucan dressing). Outcomes included HPV negative conversion rate, vaginal pH, hydrogen peroxide levels, Nugent score, and cellular cleanliness. Assessments were made at baseline and 3 months' post-treatment. The HPV negative conversion rate was significantly higher in the combination group (90.9%) than in the control group (72.7%) (p < 0.05). Combination therapy better restored normal vaginal pH, increased hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli, and reduced inflammation markers. Microbial balance was fully restored in all patients receiving combination therapy versus only 59.09% in the control group. Pathogen profiles, including Nugent and aerobic vaginitis scores, also showed greater improvement in the intervention group. Combining focused ultrasound with anti-HPV β-glucan therapy significantly enhances HPV clearance and restores vaginal homeostasis. This noninvasive dual approach offers a promising option for managing persistent HPV infections. © 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Yeast beta-glucans demonstrate immune-modulating effects; however, few studies have explored the potential of yeast beta-glucans to enhance immune response to vaccination. This pilot study aimed to assess the adjuvant effect of a yeast beta-glucan supplementation on antibody titer response to influenza vaccination. Adults (n = 90; 70.7 ± 10.1 years) were recruited over two vaccination seasons and randomized to receive 500 mg of beta-glucan or placebo (500 mg cellulose) daily in a double-blind study design. Pre- and 4 wk post-vaccination serum influenza-specific antibody titers were assessed using an optimized Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) assay. Plasma cytokines 24 h post-vaccination were quantified by immunoassay. Cold and flu symptoms, using the Modified Jackson Criteria, fever, and self-perceived fatigue were monitored daily. Linear mixed models were used to test for differences in the fixed effects of time, treatment, and their interactions. In season 1 (Fall 2022), despite a baseline suggesting seroprotection for the Influenza A (H3N2 A/Wisconsin/67/2005) in 92% of the beta-glucan group and 74% of the placebo group, the post-vaccination antibody titer response (Δ = 95.8) favored beta-glucan over placebo (p = 0.037). Influenza B/Austria/1359417/2021 antigen demonstrated poor detection; 7 of the 10 HI detectible antibody responses seen were in the beta-glucan group. In season 2 (Fall 2023), the Influenza A (H1N1 A/Victoria/4897/2022) antigen demonstrated poor detection (14%), which precluded further cohort analyses. Of the cytokines, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) increased similarly in both groups after vaccination, not supporting the adjuvant action of beta-glucan at the cellular level. Reported cold and flu symptoms were low in both groups and did not differ. Overall, the findings suggest that yeast beta-glucan supplementation may elicit a greater change in antibody titer to seasonal influenza vaccination. However, confirmation is needed with a larger sample of older adults and with follow-up to assess protection from disease. Clinical trial registry number and website: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05074303.

Background/Objectives: Intranasal carboxymethyl-β-glucan (CMBG)-resveratrol represents an innovative therapeutic approach for upper airway diseases, combining antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antiallergic properties. Despite growing preclinical and clinical evidence, consensus on its clinical applications remains poorly defined. To establish evidence-based recommendations for the clinical use of intranasal CMBG-resveratrol through a multidisciplinary Delphi Consensus process. Methods: A two-round Delphi Consensus was conducted. In the first round, an expert board prepared, reviewed, and validated 22 statements based on current scientific evidence from preclinical and clinical studies. In the second round, 38 multidisciplinary experts evaluated each statement using a 5-point Likert scale (from 5 = strongly agree to 1 = strongly disagree). Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement (scores 4 + 5). Results: All 22 statements achieved consensus (range: 83-100%). Strong agreement (≥90%) was reached for statements regarding the pathophysiological rationale (infection-inflammation-oxidative stress cycle), resveratrol's pleiotropic mechanisms of action, the role of CMBG in enhancing stability and bioavailability, and clinical efficacy in respiratory infections and allergic rhinitis. The mean scores ranged from 4.2 to 4.9, indicating high expert agreement across all domains. Conclusions: This multidisciplinary Delphi Consensus provides evidence-based recommendations for the use of intranasal CMBG-resveratrol to manage upper airway diseases, particularly respiratory infections and allergic rhinitis. The formulation's multitarget approach addresses the complex pathophysiology of these conditions through simultaneous antimicrobial (mainly antiviral), anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects.

BACKGROUND: Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus, PO) are rich in β-glucans and other ingredients with cholesterol-lowering potential. While human intervention studies suggest that PO intake may reduce total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides, current evidence remains limited due to methodological limitations of the studies. Thus, this study investigated whether regular intake of PO powder affects LDL-C concentrations in adults with moderately elevated LDL-C (primary aim). Moreover, the study explored the effect on other lipids (TC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides), on apolipoproteins A1 and B and possible underlying mechanisms of action (secondary aims). METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 46 adults (37 female, 9 male) with moderately elevated LDL-C (116-190 mg/dL) consumed a beverage containing 8.4 g PO powder providing 3 g of β-glucans or a beverage without PO daily over 4 weeks. Plasma concentrations of LDL-C, other lipids and apolipoproteins were measured before and after intervention. The concentrations of noncholesterol sterols in serum, normalized to cholesterol, were determined as validated surrogate markers for cholesterol absorption (sitosterol, campesterol, and 5α-cholestanol), cholesterol synthesis (lathosterol), and bile-acid synthesis (7α-hydroxycholesterol), along with ergosterol, a fungal-specific sterol. Expression of selected target genes involved in cholesterol metabolism was analyzed in blood. Statistical analysis included comparisons of the changes between the groups (treatment effect) and linear modeling. RESULTS: PO treatment did not modulate LDL-C; no treatment effect was observed for other lipids, apolipoproteins or gene expression (P ≥ 0.05 for all). However, after adjustment for sex, linear model analysis showed a reduction in markers of cholesterol absorption, especially in females (P < 0.05 for all). No effects were observed on markers of cholesterol and bile-acid synthesis (P ≥ 0.05 for all). Ergosterol was detectable in all serum samples after PO intake, confirming high compliance with PO treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Daily consumption of 8.4 g of PO

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a protein-rich oat by-product obtained during β-glucan extraction, used as a partial substitute for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler chicken diets, on growth performance, carcass traits, and selected gastrointestinal parameters. The experiment involved 320 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers divided into four groups (10 replicates of eight birds each). Diets contained 0%, 10%, 15%, or 20% oat by-product. Growth performance parameters were monitored throughout the experiment, and on day 42, carcass traits, gastrointestinal function, the pH of cecal digesta, the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and intestinal histomorphology were evaluated. No significant differences were found in final growth performance or dressing percentage among treatments. The birds that received the oat by-product had a lower proportion of abdominal fat (P < 0.001). Diets containing 10% or 15% oat by-product reduced cecal pH and the concentrations of isobutyric and isovaleric acids (P < 0.001). Histomorphological analysis revealed optimal villus and crypt parameters at 10-15% inclusion levels of the tested product and less favorable values at 20% (P < 0.001). These results indicate that the tested oat by-product may be considered a promising partial substitute for SBM in broiler diets, although its efficacy depends on the inclusion level. The 10%-15% range yielded the most favorable overall response, while the 20% level was associated with suboptimal histomorphological characteristics of the small intestine. © 2026. The Author(s).

Natural oat β-glucan (βG) exhibits potential biological activity but is constrained by structural limitations. This study extracted βG from oats and synthesized sulfated derivatives SβG1 and SβG2 with degrees of substitution (DS) of 0.62 and 1.07 by controlling pyridine‑sulfur trioxide complex (SO₃·Pyr) proportions. Techniques including gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed sulfation introduced sulfate groups primarily at the C6 hydroxyl. SβG1 demonstrated greater pH stability than SβG2 over pH 3-10. Antibacterial tests revealed SβG1's concentration-dependent inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), with stronger effects on S. aureus (60% inhibition at 1.5 mg/mL after 12 h). Molecular dynamics simulation indicated SβG1 binds DOPC/DOPG bacterial membranes via van der Waals forces, increasing the solvent-accessible surface area, reducing membrane rigidity, enhancing fluidity, and disrupting its integrity through widening bilayer spacing and inducing local bending.

Polysaccharide degradation by microorganisms is essential in driving global nutrient cycling, developing renewable fuels or chemicals, and promoting human gut health. However, complex polysaccharides are often insoluble, making it challenging to study degradation with soluble enzymes or to measure microbial growth. Several protocols exist to address this challenge, including 3D-printed biomass containment devices or agar capture systems to facilitate the study of insoluble carbohydrate degradation. While these methods are functional, they are constrained by variable substrate loading and time-consuming preparation. To address these shortcomings, a 3D-printed pipette was designed and tested as part of a newly developed agar immobilization method to quantitatively monitor the degradation of insoluble polysaccharides for a 96-well microtiter assay. The pipette and method were validated via two mechanisms. First, growth analyses of Cellvibrio japonicus wild-type or bgl2A, cbp2D, and cbp2E single deletion mutant strains were conducted using glucose, barley β-glucan, starch, cellulose, chitin, pectin, galactan, or intact yeast biomass as a sole carbon source to benchmark the new method against previously described methods. Second, the agar pipette was used to screen the growth of bacteria or yeasts capable of utilizing insoluble polysaccharides as the sole carbon source. The 3D-printed pipette and agar immobilization method enabled a faster, more consistent, and cost-effective way for high-throughput screening of bacterial or yeast growth using insoluble carbohydrates, suggesting that it can be a useful tool for environmental and applied microbial research.IMPORTANCEThe insolubility of many polysaccharides contributes to the challenge of studying how these substrates are deconstructed by diverse microorganisms, which limits our understanding of environmental processes dependent on microbes and slows progress in the development of biotechnologies based on insoluble polysaccharide degradation (i.e., renewable fuels and chemicals). Previous methods to circumvent this challenge are typically time-consuming, resource-intensive, and not compatible with all types of insolubl

Batter is a semiliquid mixture made up of flour, water, and other ingredients composed of biopolymers such as carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, and lipids and is used to make cake, muffins, and crepes or to coat certain foods before frying or baking, which plays a vital role in determining the texture, flavor, and overall quality of the final product. Several factors are involved in preparing batter, in which dietary fiber could be enhanced in its rheological properties, nutrition, and sensory attributes. However, fermentation improves the quality, enhances digestibility, and improves batter. Nonetheless, there is a gap in the research to fulfill this. Therefore, batter fortified with natural dietary fiber such as arabinoxylans, resistant starch, pectin, inulin, and beta-glucan with the process interventions optimizes the rheological properties of batter and contributes to enhancing texture, stability, and overall product quality. Moreover, this review shows that soluble and insoluble dietary fiber supplementation in batter coating reduces the oil uptake during frying and decreases the fat content in various meat products. This review has studied dietary fiber limitation in batter and its interaction during fermentation and their characteristics. Also, applying dietary fiber as a nutrient-rich source could be product-friendly for the food industry and improve the quality and safety of batter-based products.

β-Glucan, which is a type of polysaccharide, provides both cytoprotective effects and immunomodulatory effects, which scientists can use to develop treatments for hematologic conditions and melanoma through their ability to regulate lipid-hormone pathways. This study develops a computational framework to validate its effectiveness by combining network pharmacology and docking and Molecular Dynamics (MD) and In-vitro studies and experimental proof to study the immunomodulatory effects and antimelanoma Lipid-Hormone Axis modulation effects and Erythroprotection capabilities of β-Glucan obtained from Plum (Prunus bokharensis) PLYE1 through its extraction and characterization. β-Glucan extracted (NaOH/NaClO, 3.2 gms ± % yield) and characterized (HRMS: DP 1-5, β-(1 → 3)/(1 → 6) linkages). Network analysis using TCMSP and DisGeNET together with network analysis methods identified 110 compounds and 204 melanoma genes as research targets while they classified β-Glucan with a perfect score of 100 and identified NPC1L1 and HMGCR and NR1H3 and ESR2 and SHBG as essential network elements. Docking displayed high-resolution parameters between 2.00 and 3.3 Å together with high stereochemical accuracy enabled target protein assessment. Ramachandran plot analysis addressed ligand bound structures maintained their biological integrity which enabled accurate evaluation of β-Glucan therapeutic potential. The 500 ns MD simulation of the 7N4X-β-Glucan complex demonstrated binding stability through RMSD measurements which disclosed that the system reached equilibrium between 200 and 250 ns and maintained a stable distance range of 4.5 to 5.5 Å. The RMSF results showed that most residues displayed minor fluctuations beneath 1.5 Å while loop areas experienced greater movement that reached 3 to 6 Å. The radius of gyration remained stable at 4.3 to 5.0 Å which demonstrated that the protein maintained its compact structure while continuing to interact with ligands. The in-vitro study demonstrates that β-Glucan functions as an external ligand which triggers receptor-based immune response activation together with an increase in phagocytosis of 72.14% and an induction of cell death at an IC50

This study investigated the role of soluble dietary fiber, specifically β-glucan, as a modulator of nutrient-specific food choice and metabolic function using Drosophila melanogaster as a model. Adult males and mated females were assigned to a blank group (B), a corn starch control group (C), or groups fed diets supplemented with β-glucan at 5% (LBG), 10% (MBG), or 20% (HBG), or arabinoxylan (AX; 10%) for 4 days. Short-term food preference was quantified using dye-based dual-choice assays, and long-term sucrose preference was assessed using the capillary feeder assay. Circulating glucose, whole-body triglycerides (TG), whole-body Drosulfakinin (DSK), and midgut Neuropeptide F (NPF) were measured by ELISA, complemented by immunofluorescence analyses in gut and brain tissues. Dietary β-glucan modulated sucrose-related feeding behavior in a sex- and dose-dependent manner. In females, neither short- nor long-term sucrose preference differed across interventions (p > 0.05). In males, β-glucan produced a non-linear response: in the sucrose-yeast assay, MBG reduced the preference index relative to C (0.50 ± 0.04 versus 0.63 ± 0.07, p = 0.014), whereas HBG increased it (0.77 ± 0.07 versus 0.63 ± 0.07, p = 0.006). In the high-low sucrose assay, HBG showed a nominal trend toward reduced short-term preference (p = 0.094). Long-term sucrose preference was significantly lower in males receiving β-glucan compared with the control (-0.09 ± 0.38 versus 0.45 ± 0.56, p = 0.022). AX did not significantly affect sucrose preference. TG levels increased in females at MBG and HBG but decreased in males at the same doses. DSK levels were higher in females (LBG and HBG, p < 0.001) and in males (LBG, MBG, HBG and AX, p < 0.001), while NPF concentrations increased in multiple intervention groups in both sexes (p < 0.001). Immunofluorescence analyses revealed broadly comparable neuropeptide distributions across groups. These findings demonstrate that dietary β-glucan modulates sucrose-related feeding behavior in a sex- and dose-dependent manner, with males exhibiting a non-linear response and reduced long-term sucrose preference. The metabolic and neuropeptide changes support a gut-brain-m

Echinocandins are the preferred agents for treating invasive candidiasis; however, rising resistance in Candida species poses a significant challenge for patient care. This study aimed to improve the efficacy of echinocandins against clinical Candida isolates by enhancing their noncanonical membrane activity. The mechanisms of action of anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin on lipid membranes were investigated using a range of biophysical methods and molecular dynamics approaches. Antifungal activity was assessed using a panel of clinical Candida isolates. The results indicated that echinocandins exhibit greater selectivity for ergosterol-containing membranes than for cholesterol-enriched membranes. Echinocandins caused differential phase disordering, leading to a significant increase in the size of sterol-rich ordered domains, induced membrane stress/perturbation, and promoted the formation of ion-permeable transmembrane pores. The membrane activity of echinocandins was enhanced upon incorporation into liposomes. Echinocandin liposomes exhibited reduced MICs against clinical Candida isolates (down to 0.002 µg/mL) compared with conventional echinocandins. This reduction in MIC was observed regardless of the strain's susceptibility to standard echinocandins. Enhancing the membrane activity of echinocandins through their incorporation into liposomal formulations represents a promising strategy to improve antifungal efficacy and address the increasing resistance observed in clinical Candida isolates. © 2026. The Author(s).

β-glucan could regulate starch retrogradation and digestion; however, its combined role with starch fine molecular structures remains unknown. Therefore, nine starches were selected, and their retrogradation and digestion properties were investigated after storage for 7 days with and without β-glucan. Notably, three groups of starches were identified based on the impact of β-glucan on retrogradation: inhibition (potato starch), minimal effect (buckwheat, lentil and wheat starch), and promotion (cassava, mung bean, sweet potato, corn and pea starch). It was proposed that only amylopectin chains with enough length can interact with β-glucan, inhibiting retrogradation. Nevertheless, β-glucan did not affect melting temperatures of retrograded starch. The addition of β-glucan reduced the digestion extent of all starches to varying degrees, possibly due to the increased V-type crystallinity and formation of thicker hydrogel matrix. These results improve the understanding of β-glucan-starch interactions, aiding the development of starchy foods with slow digestion and controlled retrogradation property.