Vetvicka, V, Terayama K, Mandeville R, Brousseau P, Kournikakis B, Ostroff G

Orally-administered Yeast β1,3- glucan prophylactically protects against anthrax infection and cancer in mice

Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association. Vol. 5, No. 2, Spring 2002: 16-20.

β1,3-glucans from various bacterial, mushroom, yeast, and cereal sources have been established as immunomodulators.  In the present paper we demonstrate that orally-administered yeast β1,3-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 metastatic cancer cells in vivo.  The mechanism of action involves the stimulation of three important cytokines: IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF  These  results provide preclinical evidence for the beneficial effects of orally-administered yeast β1,3-glucan.