No abstract

Recognized as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), bglucans, a naturally occurring heterogeneous group of polysaccharides, were investigated for their ability to accelerate wound healing in the form of high water-retaining hydrogel dressing. Approach: Full-thickness wounds on the dorsal side of mice created using a 5mm biopsy punch were treated with b-glucan-based hydrogel for 2 weeks. Standardized photographs of the wound site were taken at regular time intervals to calculate the percentage of wound closure. Tissues isolated from the wound area were subjected to histological examination and immunoblot analysis. Results: b-Glucan-based hydrogel significantly accelerated the duration of wound healing and enhanced the development of skin appendages in the regenerated skin tissue. Increased expression of transforming growth factor-b3 in the skin tissue isolated from the healed wound site indicated that skin regeneration rather than skin repair occurred, thereby minimizing cutaneous scarring. The expression level of cytokeratin 10 and cytokeratin 14 in the isolated skin tissue revealed that the wounds treated with hydrogel showed proper differentiation and proliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermal layer. Innovation: Immunomodulating b-glucan (responsible for fighting infections at the wound site, and enhancing the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts) in the form of a three-dimensional hydrogel membrane that retains a high water content (responsible for cooling and soothing effect around the wound site, thereby reducing pain) was prepared and analyzed for its effects on the cutaneous wound healing mechanism. Conclusion: b-Glucan-based hydrogels are promising as wet wound dressings in the health care industry.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake, source of beta glucan was missing.The name of mushroom is Schizophyllum commune.

Dietary pattern has paramount importance in shaping the gut microbiota and its associated host health. Herein this study, long term (12 weeks) impact of mushroom derived dietary fiber, β-glucan, is investigated for its effect on low fiber diet consumption. Inclusion of dietary fiber into the low fiber diet (LFD) increased the abundance of genera Lactobacillus and Anaerostipes, the microbes responsible for butyrate (major 'fuel source' of colonocytes) production. Mice fed LFD with β-glucan showed significant increase in the length of small intestine compared to that of the LFD group without β-glucan. Further, dietary fiber consumption enhanced goblet cell density along with mucosal layer thickness. These results indicate promising effects of β-glucan towards maintenance of healthy gut and gut microbiota.