Irradiated β-glucan enhances immune response to bacterial infection through CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocytes

Background: β-glucans are glucose polymers with a variety of stimulatory effects on the immune system. the objective of this study was to evaluate the immune-enhancing activities of low molecular weight gamma irradiated β-glucan (iβ-g) extracted from pleurotus ostreatus in response to pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in rats. materials and methods: β-glucan (β-g) powder was exposed to 50 kgy of gamma radiation. for experimental study, healthy male rats were divided in six groups. group i: did not receive any treatment. group 2: infected group was injected once with p. aeruginosa. group 3: were orally administrated with β-g for 15 days at a dose of 65 mg/kg body weight/day. group 4: were orally administrated with iβ-g for 15 days at a dose of 65 mg/kg body weight/day. group 5: rats were treated with β-g and injected once with p. aeruginosa. group 6: rats were treated with iβ-g and injected once with p. aeruginosa. rats were sacrificed 24 h post bacterial infection.results: β-g and iβ-g were characterized using ftir spectra and sem, showed breakdown of the glycosidic bonds with deformation and splittng of β-g molecule. oral ingestion of β-g markedly enhanced the production of lymphocytes and leucocytes and cd8 compared to that of iβ-g, although iβ-g was more effective in stimulating cd4 count compared to that of β-g and ameliorated cd4/cd8 ratio. iβ-g enhanced gpx and cat activity, elevated zinc concentration in the blood compared to that of β-g, although both iβ-g and β-g elevated gsh and caused no effect on mda level in post infected groups. conclusion: in conclusion iβ-g improves antioxidant state and enhances immune system in particular cd4 count against bacterial infections which is an important marker of immune system.