The protective effect of beta-1,3-D-glucan on taxol-induced hepatotoxicity: a histopathological and stereological study

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to determine the histopathological and quantitative effects of the antineoplastic agent, taxol, on the liver. The protective effects of the strong antioxidant, beta-1,3-D-glucan, against liver damage induced by taxol were also investigated. Mice were divided into four main treatment groups: control, taxol, beta-1,3-D-glucan, and taxol+beta-1,3-D-glucan. Each group was further subdivided into six subgroups, according to time of sacrifice (6, 12, 24, and 48 hours and 7 and 14 days). After the experiments, quantitative and histopathological changes in liver were examined by light microscopy and modern stereological systems. Stereological results indicated that the portal triad area of the taxol group was significantly reduced, compared to the controls at 12 hours, whereas in the taxol plus beta-glucan and beta-glucan groups, the means were similar to those of the controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the numerical density of hepatocytes with time between the control and other groups. The histopathological results indicated an increased, time-dependent degeneration and necrosis of the liver tissues in mice in the taxol group. Regenerative changes in livers of mice in the taxol plus beta-glucan group were observed, when compared with those of the taxol group. Stereological and histopathological results suggest that beta-glucan may reduce taxol-induced hepatic damage by blocking the change in the portal area and suppressing processes leading to necrosis.

The BH3 mimetic ABT-737 increases treatment efficiency of paclitaxel against hepatoblastoma

“…Docetaxel, a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel also leading to tumour regression, was described without significant toxicity in athymic NMRI mice [37]. The concept of reducing toxic effects by combining chemotherapeutics with natural compounds, such as beta-1,3-D-glucan, is very compelling, since some hepatotoxic side effects have finally been reported, even though higher paclitaxel dosage were used than in our study [38]. In addition, lyophilized paclitaxel magnetoliposomes demonstrated to be effectively delivered to the tumour and exert significant anticancer activity with fewer side effects when administrated parenterally in a xenograft mouse model for breast carcinoma [39].…”

Beta Glucan: A Valuable Functional Ingredient in Foods

“…A large number of studies indicated the effectiveness of β-glucan against various diseases and disorders, and several applications reported in previous scientific work are the tendency to reduce onset of colorectal cancer (Dongowski et al, 2002), increased stool bulk and provide assistance against constipation (Odes et al, 1993;Valle-Jones, 1985), reduction in glycemic index (Cavallero et al, 2002;Jenkins et al, 2002;Granfeldt et al, 2008), flattening of the postprandial blood glucose levels and insulin rises (Hallfrisch et al, 2003;Li et al, 2003;Jenkins et al, 2002), prevention of insulin resistance (Brennan and Cleary, 2007;Hlebowicz et al, 2008), reduction in serum cholesterol levels (Delaney et al, 2003;Kang, et al, 2003;Kerckhoffs et al, 2003;Li et al, 2003;Yang et al, 2003;Smith et al, 2004), prevention of coronary heart disease (Jinshui et al, 2002), production of short-chain fatty acids (Wisker et al, 2000), prevention of hepatic damage by reducing taxol-induced hepatic damage (Karaduman et al, 2010), and promotion of the growth of beneficial gut microflora (Crittenden et al, 2002;Tungland, 2003).…”

Investigation of The Protective Effects of Beta-D-Glucan Against Invasive Encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae Sepsis in Splenectomized Rats

“…Beta-D-glukan (BDG), mantarlarda, mayada ve kepekte bulunan dallanmış bir glukoz polimeridir. BDG'ların temel immünofarmakolojik aktiviteleri; konağın viral, bakteriyel, fungal ve parazitik enfeksiyonlara karşı direncini güçlendirmesi, retiküloendotelyal sistemin fagositik ve proliferatif aktivitesini artırmasını kapsamaktadır [7][8][9][10] . Bu çalışmada, splenektomi yapılan sıçanlarda, sepsisli hastalardan elde edilen kapsüllü invazif S.pneumoniae serotip 19F'in indüklediği sepsis üzerine, seftriaksonun ve bir immünomodülatör olan BDG'ın tekli ve kombine etkilerinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır.…”