Enhancement of non-specific immune defenses by administration of underivatized, aqueous soluble glucans
AssigneeAlpha-Beta Technology, Inc.
InventorsSpiros Jamas, D. Davidson Easson, Jr., Gary R. Ostroff
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Abstract
A method for producing soluble preparations of neutral glucan polymers is disclosed. The method involves treating whole glucan particles with a unique sequence of acid and alkaline treatments to produce soluble glucan. The soluble glucan can be purified to obtain a physiologically acceptable solution of neutral glucan molecules. A soluble neutral glucan preparation is obtained which forms a clear solution at a neutral pH and is equilibrated in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Claims10
A method of treating an immunocompromised human or animal comprising administering to said human or animal an amount of an underivatized, aqueous soluble yeast .beta.(1-3) glucan sufficient to enhance the non-specific defenses of mononuclear cells or macrophages or both in said animal or human, wherein the underivatized, aqueous soluble yeast .beta.(1-3) glucan is produced by a process comprising the steps of:
- a) contacting a suspension of aqueous insoluble .beta.(1-3) glucan derived from yeast with an organic acid to solubilize said glucan thereby forming an acid-soluble and acid-insoluble glucan mixture;
- b) contacting the acid-soluble portion of the glucans with an alkali solution to dissolve the alkali-soluble glucan;
- c) removing alkali-insoluble glucans from the solution of step (b);
- d) neutralizing the solution containing the alkali-soluble glucan of step (c);
- and
- e) isolating an aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3) glucan by size fractionation to produce a .beta.(1-3) glucan that is suitable for parenteral administration,
- thereby treating said immunocompromised human or animal by enhancing the non-specific defenses of mononuclear cells or macrophages or both.
A method of treating an immunocompromised human or animal comprising administering to said human or animal an amount of an underivatized, aqueous soluble yeast .beta.(1-3) glucan sufficient to enhance the non-specific defenses of mononuclear cells or macrophages or both in said animal or human, thereby treating said immunocompromised human or animal by enhancing the non-specific defenses of mononuclear cells or macrophages or both.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.