Β-glucans are linear polymers of glucose of high molecular weight that are found naturally in the cell wall of various living organisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi and plants; They are widely used in food companies as texturizers.

Scientific studies suggest that the consumption of β-glucans would be associated with benefits for human health such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strengthening the immune system. These effects depend on their source of origin; those from cereals have been attributed beneficial metabolic properties and those that come from yeast immunostimulating properties.

Yeast β-glucans are believed to be potent immunomodulators with effects on innate and adaptive immunity. This effect could be due to the ability to stimulate receptors of the immune system present in the membrane of enterocytes, M cells and dendritic cells, improving the phagocytic activity of macrophages and the antimicrobial activity of mononuclear cells and neutrophils.

Due to this property, β-glucans are being used more and more for the development of functional foods in several countries of the world. However, the effect of yeast β-glucans on the stimulation of the immune response has not yet been accurately documented; Therefore, the present investigation aims to establish the performance of a β-glucan fiber from S. cerevisiae in antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity in healthy volunteers.

Background

Β-glucans are high molecular weight glucose polymers (polysaccharides) naturally present in the cell wall of various living organisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi and plants. Some studies show that β-glucans have antioxidant activity and stimulate the immune system in animals and humans.

On the other hand, the physiological metabolism in living beings generates free radicals that can endanger cell integrity if they are not controlled properly. Free radicals are collectively known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and have the ability to produce significant oxidative damage to cellular structures that can increase under environmental stress. Free radicals impair tissue function, contribute to aging and the development of chronic and chronic degenerative diseases.

To counteract the action of free radicals, antioxidants are used whose function is to maintain or restore cellular balance. An alternative for this are β-glucans since they have protective properties against oxidative damage, the antioxidant effect they exert is indirect and is produced by improving the expression and production of antioxidant systems by the body itself.

Various studies focused on antioxidant activity indicate that β-glucans from mushrooms constitute a potential natural source of antioxidants, especially associated with regular consumption.

Added to the effects caused by ROS is the constant exposure of living beings to pathogens, which must be dealt with by the immune system through cells and tissues to avoid infections. The immune system, made up of the innate and the adaptive systems, is essential for survival as it protects the body against potentially dangerous microorganisms that constantly attack the human body. Therefore, the proper functioning of the immune system must be guaranteed, since limitations in it increase the possibility of contracting serious infections that threaten life. In accordance with this, it is reported that changes in dietary composition can improve immune function. Although studies have been reported in the literature since 1939 on the response of the immune system by yeast cell walls, it is in the 1960s that it is established that the active substance in yeast that generates the beneficial effect is β -glucan. Β-glucans are known as biological response modifiers, due to their ability to activate the immune system, since they favor the participation of immune cells in a greater proportion in the face of external threats.

In the same way, the scientific literature indicates that there are various properties attributed to the use of β-glucan, among them the decrease in allergy episodes, respiratory tract infections, decreased concentrations of glycoproteins of the immune system and increased potential of blood leukocytes to produce IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and interferon (IFN-γ), the foregoing, suggesting that β-glucans hold promise for modulating an individual's immunity .

In this sense, the company Levapan SA multilatina company of Colombian origin founded in 1953, which is dedicated to the production and commercialization of yeast (S. cerevisiae), yeast extracts, flavor enhancers, raw materials for food industries, bakery and confectionery, mass consumption products, gastronomy, agribusiness, vegetable and animal proteins, has worked on the production of β-glucan from S. cerevisiae, showing potential effects on health.

Within its portfolio, the product derived from yeast that is currently used as an ingredient in different formulations of the nutraceutical industry is presented as β-glucan Plus, since they offer immunostimulating properties. It is also considered that β-glucan may be a promising alternative to control or mitigate the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 disease. However, it is necessary to evaluate and confirm the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effect of β-glucan Plus through a clinical evaluation as proposed by this research.

Benefits of β-glucan

Evidence supports that the inclusion of these polysaccharides in the diet can have positive effects on glycemic control, cholesterol and immunity. Due to their physical and chemical characteristics, they have been used during the development of functional foods to improve their texture and shelf life. Β-glucans are related to anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activity. Antimutagenic, chemoprotective and anticancer effects of these compounds have also been reported and they are reported to have positive effects on cardiovascular diseases, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, wound healing.

Currently, β-glucan extracted from microorganisms is being used for the treatment of many diseases in the world. Processes have been carried out to extract β-glucans from the cell wall of S. cerevicie and develop products with it. However, work continues to obtain evidence to demonstrate its effectiveness through clinical studies.

Global situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The spread of the COVID-19 virus) has prompted interest in boosting immunity. With this perspective Kerry notes that clinical research has shown that his Wellmune β-glucan can help support upper respiratory tract infections. The company says it can support the immune system of people, including children, athletes, older adults and those with lifestyle stress. Wellmune notes that a healthy immune system is the best defense against disease, although there is no specific research demonstrating Wellmune's effectiveness against diseases like COVID-19.

Treatments with β-glucan. At present there is an interest in promoting the immune response of organisms in a natural way, these facts have motivated the interest in conducting research on the immunomodulatory effect derived from natural systems. These scientific studies suggest that its consumption would be associated with benefits for human health such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strengthening the immune system. These effects depend on their source of origin, those from cereals have been attributed beneficial metabolic properties and those that come from yeast immunostimulating properties; According to this theory, yeast β-glucans are believed to be potent immunomodulators with effects on innate and adaptive immunity. This effect could be due to the ability to stimulate receptors of the immune system present in the membrane of enterocytes, M cells and dendritic cells, improving the phagocytic activity of macrophages and the antimicrobial activity of mononuclear cells and neutrophils.

Β-glucan from bakery yeast produced by Levapan S.A

The β-glucan of Yeast Plus is a product of Levapan SA that contains 1,3 and 1,6 Β- Glucan extracted under hydrolysis processes of the cell wall of the yeast S. cerevisiae, where at the end of the process a product is obtained insoluble in water. The product is originated from non-genetically modified microorganisms, baker's yeast is the primary yeast made from sugar cane molasses. Annually the company produces approximately 20 Ton / month of β-glucan for its use in different formulations, such as the development of nutraceutical foods for human consumption, animal feed, aquaculture, among others.

The β-glucan Plus is currently manufactured by Levapan S. A company that has the KOSHER, HALAL and ISO 9001: 2008 certifications for the production and preparation of glucan and is evaluated by PECET following the BPC protocols.

There are extensive properties attributable to β-glucans that allow evaluating their actions in various fields, being used more and more for the development of functional foods in various countries of the world, but with few results that demonstrate the real effect of these.

Due to these properties there are several studies focused on the effects of β-glucans, however, the effect of β-glucans from yeast S. cerevisiae on the stimulation of the immune response has not yet been accurately documented, so the This research aims to establish the performance of a S. cerevisiae β-glucan fiber in antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity in healthy volunteers.

Due to the antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the different types of β-glucans, these are being used more and more for the development of functional foods in several countries of the world. However, the effect of yeast β-glucans on the stimulation of the immune response has not yet been accurately documented; Therefore, the present investigation aims to establish the performance of a β-glucan fiber from S. cerevisiae in antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

General objective

To determine the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effect of a β-glucan fiber obtained from the yeast S. cerevisiae in healthy adults.

Specific objectives

• Determine the antioxidant activity of a β-glucan fiber obtained from S.cerevisiae
• To determine the strengthening of the immune system of a β-glucan fiber obtained from the yeast S. cerevisiae
• Evaluate the safety and tolerability (frequency, seriousness and degree of adverse events) of a β-glucan fiber obtained from the yeast S. cerevisiae
• Explore the metabolic benefit of a β-glucan fiber obtained from the yeast S. cerevisiae
• Explore the impact of the consumption of a β-glucan fiber obtained from the yeast S. cerevisiae on the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women aged ≥18 and ≤45 years without abnormal findings at the time of physical examination
• Tests of creatinine, transaminases, lipid profile, glycemia and hemogram with ranges of normality according to laboratory reference values and / or at the discretion of the researcher
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25 kg / m2
• In the opinion of the researcher, the participant is able to understand and comply with the protocol

Exclusion criteria

• Women with a positive pregnancy test during the screening process or who do not agree with the use of a contraceptive method until day 90 post-treatment
• Women who are breastfeeding
• Clinically significant pathological history such as kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, anemia, autoimmune or psychiatric diseases, among others that may affect the development or results of the study.
• Manifest eating styles other than the omnivore
• Have food restrictions derived from allergic, metabolic, dermatological diseases, lithiasis, irritable bowel and / or health conditions that imply permanent modification in diet
• Consumption of a vitamin or nutritional supplement
• Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may affect the development of the study.

Double blind trial. Research product blinding will be maintained using one label for both products (fiber and placebo) and the same capsules for both.

Subjects, who collect the data (eg, Investigator and coordinator) and those who evaluate the data (eg, Statistician) will be blinded. One or more pharmacists / vaccine administrators designated by the facility will not be blinded. These designated unblinded individuals will maintain investigational vaccine blindness and will not participate in the safety assessment of the subjects.