Pleuran Explained

Pleuran is an insoluble polysaccharide (β-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan), isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus.^[1]

Pleuran belongs to a group of glucose polymers commonly called beta-glucans demonstrating biological response modifier properties. These immunomodulating properties render the host more resistant to infections and neoplasms.^[2]

In a study published in December 2010, pleuran demonstrated to have a protective effect against exercise-induced suppression of immune cell activity (NK cells) in subjects taking 100 mg per day.^[3]

In another study published in 2011, pleuran reduced the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and increased the number of circulating NK cells.^[4]

Pleuran is also being studied as a potential immunologic adjuvant.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Karácsonyi S, Kuniak L . 1994 . Polysaccharides of Pleurotus ostreatus: Isolation and structure of pleuran, an alkali-insoluble β-glucan . Carbohydrate Polymers . 24 . 2 . 107–111 . . 10.1016/0144-8617(94)90019-1 .
2. Di Luzio . NR . 1985 . Update on the immunomodulating activities of glucans . Springer Seminars in Immunopathology . 8 . 4 . 387–400 . . Germany . 4089757 . 10.1007/BF01857392 . 24803241 . free .
3. Bobovčák. M. Kuniaková, R, Gabriž, J, Majtán, J. Effect of Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supplementation on cellular immune response after intensive exercise in elite athletes.. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. December 2010. 35. 6. 755–62. 21164546. 10.1139/h10-070.
4. Bergendiova. K. Tibenska, E, Majtan, J. Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supplementation, cellular immune response and respiratory tract infections in athletes.. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2011-01-20. 21249381. 10.1007/s00421-011-1837-z. 111. 9. 2033–40. 25411018.
5. Vogel FR, Powell MF, Alving CR . A Compendium of Vaccine Adjuvants and Excipients . Pharmaceutical Biotechnology . 2nd ed . 141–228 . . 1998 . 6 . 10.1007/978-1-4615-1823-5_7 . 7551218 . 978-1-4613-5737-7 . 2008-05-08 . 2007-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070715043825/http://www.niaid.nih.gov/hivvaccines/pdf/compendium.pdf . live .