OBJECTIVE

The antioxidative and antinitrative activities of (1→3)-β-D-glucan (1-4μg/ml) from the yeast cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in human plasma treated with strong oxidants - peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) (0.1mM) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) (2mM) were studied in vitro. The main purpose of this study was to assess if (1→3)-β-D-glucan, a well known strong immunostimulatory agent, possesses a protective function against dual mechanism of ONOO(-) stroke associated with nitrative and oxidative damages to human plasma biomolecules.

METHODS

The protein changes were determined in vitro by estimating the level of oxidative stress markers - carbonyl groups, and nitrative products - 3-nitrotyrosine residues. The plasma lipid peroxidation was also investigated. The obtained results show that (1→3)-β-D-glucan inhibits in vitro ONOO(-)-induced oxidation and nitration of plasma proteins, even by 50% and 30%, respectively. The antioxidative activity of (1→3)-β-D-glucan was confirmed by its inhibitory effect on plasma lipids peroxidation induced by ONOO(-) or by H(2)O(2).

CONCLUSIONS

The obtained results demonstrate that (1→3)-β-D-glucan from S. cerevisiae protects plasma components against toxic effects of ONOO(-) and H(2)O(2) due to its antioxidative and antinitrative activities. Therefore (1→3)-β-D-glucan supplementation during inflammatory may be beneficial not only regard for its ability to stimulate the immune system but also by antioxidative properties.