Dietary fibers as immunoregulatory compounds in health and disease

René Wismar, Susanne Brix, Hanne Frøkiær, H. N. Lærke

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    Many nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs) classified as dietary fibers have been reported to possess immunoregulatory properties. The fibers reported to activate or by other means modulate immune responses originate from both plant, fungal, and microbial sources and constitute highly distinct structures. In order to enhance our understanding of factors important for the immunoregulatory activities, this article addresses the importance of chemical structure, origin, and purity of fibers for their capacity to interact with key regulatory immune cells. Furthermore, we assess bioavailability, and discuss possible mechanisms involved. The binding of some NSPs to carbohydrate receptors on immune cells is well established and this event leads to activation or other changes. Especially, certain beta-glucans and some mannans have demonstrated immunomodulatory capacity with the specific structure being important for the activity. Within beta-glucans the activity varies according to structure, molecular weight, and solubility. As many of the preparations tested constitute crude extracts or partly purified NSPs, the risk of contaminants holding immunoregulatory activities should not be ignored. To what extent NSPs enter systemic circulation has been difficult to assess, partly due to lack of sensitive analytical methods. The presence of NSPs in blood and Peyer's patches in the gut has been demonstrated, supporting encounter between NSPs and immune cells, but bioavailability studies still constitute a major challenge. Studies demonstrating in vivo effects of beta-glucans on microbial infections and cancer treatment strongly indicate an immunoregulatory mechanism behind the effects. However, the potential of NSPs as immunoregulatory food ingredients is still far from fully explored.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationFoods For Health in the 21st Century: a Road Map For the Future
    Place of PublicationOxford
    PublisherBlackwell Publishing
    Publication date2010
    Pages70-85
    ISBN (Print)978-1-57331-763-4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010
    EventConference on Foods for Health in the 21st Century: A Road Map for the Future - University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States
    Duration: 16 Nov 200818 Nov 2008

    Conference

    ConferenceConference on Foods for Health in the 21st Century
    LocationUniversity of California Davis
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityDavis, California
    Period16/11/200818/11/2008
    SeriesNew York Academy of Sciences. Annals
    Volume1190
    ISSN0077-8923

    Keywords

    • nonstarch polysaccharides
    • immune modulation
    • dendritic cells
    • C-type lectin receptor
    • beta-glucan
    • mannan
    • bioavailability

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