The Immunomodulatory Effect of β-Glucan Depends on the Composition of the Gut Microbiota

• Published in: Foods 2023-08, Vol.12 (17), p.3148
• Main Authors: Sung, Miseon, Yoon, Yohan, Lee, Jeeyeon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Akkermansia; Composition; Diet; Digestive system; Fatty acids; Feces; Food; Food science; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; Gastrointestinal tract; Glucan; gut microbiota composition; health-functional food; Immunomodulation; immunomodulatory effect; Intestinal microflora; Lie groups; Life sciences; Metabolites; Microbiota; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Microorganisms; Pandemics; Proteins; β-Glucan
• ISSN: 2304-8158; 2304-8158
• DOI: 10.3390/foods12173148

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the immunomodulatory effects of β-glucan and the composition of gut microbiota in mice. The mice were fed a diet containing β-glucan for 3 weeks, and feces, blood, and tissues were then collected to analyze the immunomodulatory effect and gut microbiota composition. Based on the results of the analysis of the expression level of immune-associated proteins, the high immunomodulatory effect group (HIE) and low immunomodulatory effect group (LIE) were categorized. Before the β-glucan diet, the proportions of the phylum Bacteroidota, family Muribaculaceae, and family Lactobacillaceae were significantly higher in HIE than in LIE. Furthermore, the genus Akkermansia was absent before the β-glucan diet and increased after β-glucan diet. These microbes had the ability to metabolize β-glucan or were beneficial to health. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that variation in the composition of gut microbiota among individuals can result in varying expressions of β-glucan functionality. This outcome supports the notion that β-glucan may be metabolized through diverse pathways by gut microbes originally possessed by mice, subsequently producing various metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids. Alternatively, the viscosity of the intestinal mucosa could be enhanced by β-glucan, potentially promoting the growth of certain bacteria (e.g., the genus Akkermansia). This study provides insights into the intricate interplay between β-glucan, gut microbiota, and immunomodulation.