Effects of γ-irradiation on immunological activities of β-glucan

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of γ-irradiation on immunomodulating properties and structural changes of β-glucan. β-Glucan solutions (10 ㎎/㎖) were γ-irradiated at 10, 30, and 50 kGy. Splenocyte proliferation and cytokine (interferon-γ and interlukin-2) productions by γ-irradiated β-glucan were evaluated in in vivo and in vitro, and structural changes of β-glucan were also determined after γ-irradiation. γ-Irradiation on β-glucan at 50 kGy enhanced splenocyte proliferation and cytokine productions, (p＜0.05) and cleft glycosidic bonds of β-glucan resulting in lower the molecular weight. These results indicate that the use of γ-irradiation on β-glucan may be useful for improving its immunological activity by lowering the molecular weight of β-glucan.