Methods of using beta glucan as a radioprotective agent

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for treating and preventing radiation and/or chemotherapy related injury and/or afflictions, such as myelosuppression and decreased macrophage activity, by administering a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of particulate, bioavailable β(1,3; 1,6) glucan. The invention also relates to methods in which β(1,3; 1,6) glucan is provided in the form of whole glucan particles, microparticulate β-glucan particles or a combination thereof.

1 . A method of treating and preventing injury from ionizing radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of radiation and chemotherapy by administering a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of a particulate, bioavailable β(1,3; 1,6) glucan formulation.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said β(1,3; 1,6) glucan comprises whole glucan particles, microparticulate β-glucan particles or a combination of whole glucan particles and microparticulate β-glucan particles.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein whole glucan particles have a diameter of 1 micron or greater.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the microparticulate β-glucan particles have a diameter of 1 micron or less.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the whole glucan particles, microparticulate β-glucan particles or a combination of whole glucan particles and microparticulate β-glucan particles are administered orally.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a therapeutically effective dose of about 0-100 mg/kg of body weight is administered daily.  
     
     
         7 . A method of treating and preventing myelosuppression by administering a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of a particulate bioavailable β(1,3; 1,6) glucan.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the myelosuppression is caused by ionizing radiation.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the myelosuppression is caused by chemotherapy.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said β(1,3; 1,6) glucan comprises whole glucan particles, microparticulate β-glucan particles or a combination of whole glucan particles and microparticulate β-glucan particles.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein whole glucan particles have a diameter of 1 micron or greater.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the microparticulate β-glucan particles have a diameter of 1 micron or less.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the whole glucan particles, microparticulate β-glucan particles or a combination of whole glucan particles and microparticulate β-glucan particles are administered orally.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a therapeutically effective dose of about 0-100 mg/kg of body weight is administered daily.  
     
     
         15 . A method of treating or preventing the reduction of macrophage activity created by radiation or chemotherapy by administering a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of particulate, bioavailable β(1,3; 1,6) glucan.  
     
     
         16 . Use of a particulate bioavailable β(1,3; 1,6) glucan for the manufacture of a medicament for oral use in treating myelosuppression following radiation, wherein the orally administered glucan enhances hematopoietic stem progenitor cells by activating the complement system.  
     
     
         17 . A method of enhancing glucan-mediated hematopoietic progenitor stem cell recovery after exposure to radiation via the complement system, comprising administering to an individual a therapeutically effective orally bioavailable amount of whole glucan particles, wherein the glucan activates the complement system and enhances regeneration of hematopoietic progenitor stem cells.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the orally administered glucan is taken up by macrophages, transported to the bone marrow, degraded and the released fragments primes the CR3 of stem cell activating the stems cell to differentiate and proliferate.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the β(1,3;1,6) glucan via the complement system promotes stem cell proliferation and differentiation by binding to iC3b deposited on injured stem cells and activating CR3.