Glucans other

Polysaccharides containing a single sugar, such as glucose, are referred to as glucans. Others, which contain only mannose, are called mannans. Still others, containing only xylose, are called xylans. 

Synthesis of Regular Polysaccharides. The first attempt at such synthesis appears with the work of Haq and Whelan in 1956 (314) they proposed, without success, the polycondensation of 2,3,4,-ti-0-acetyl-o -D-glucosyl bromide in the presence of Ag20 and CaS04 to get a (l-6)-)3-D-glucan. Other negative... 

Significant protection of mice by several polysaccharides other than glucan isolated from S. cerevisiae has been described (209). A 2.16-fold protection in the LD q q is observed for one modifier, MNZ, when given 15 min prior to irradiation. Glucan protects 2.25-fold in this same protocol. Many of these polysaccharides may act through activation of the complement system, rather than directiy on ceHs. 

Single linkage type. Several of these are neutral glucans, eg curdlan. Others are polyanionic homopolymers and, unlike the glucans, also contain acyl groups. 

The glucan synthase inhibitor caspofungin (intravenous formulation) is new on the market for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in patients whose disease is refractory to, or who are intolerant of, other therapies. During the clinical trials fever, infused vein complications, nausea, vomiting and in combination with cyclosporin mild transient hepatic side effects were observed. Interaction with tacrolismius and with potential inducer or mixed inducer/inhibitors of drug clearance was also seen. 

Analysis of the products which become water-soluble after extrusioncooking showed that feroylated heteroxylans and glucans were solubilised from wheat bran (10), arabinans, heteroxyalans and pectins from pea hulls (11,12), and pectins from the other sources (13,14). 

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