Open Access

β-glucans and cholesterol (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Petr Sima
    • Luca Vannucci
    • Vaclav Vetvicka
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 22, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3411
  • Pages: 1799-1808
  • Copyright: © Sima et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is one of primary risk factors of cardiovascular disease, together with metabolic syndrome, hypertension and diabetes. Although progress has been made, the search for novel methods of preventing and treating dyslipidemia is ongoing and current therapies for cardiovascular disease induce various side effects. β‑glucans are linear unbranched polysaccharides found in various natural sources, such as mushrooms. Due to their structure they are able to interact with innate immunity receptors, however they also act as dietary fibers in the digestive tract. As there are two forms of β‑glucans, insoluble and soluble forms, they are able to interact with lipids and biliary salts in the bowel and consequently reduce cholesterol levels. Therefore, they may be developed as a suitable therapeutic option to treat patients with dyslipidemia, as they are natural molecules that do not induce any significant side effects. The current review discusses the evidence supporting the effects of β‑glucans on cholesterol levels.
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April-2018
Volume 41 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Sima P, Vannucci L and Vetvicka V: β-glucans and cholesterol (Review). Int J Mol Med 41: 1799-1808, 2018.
APA
Sima, P., Vannucci, L., & Vetvicka, V. (2018). β-glucans and cholesterol (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 41, 1799-1808. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3411
MLA
Sima, P., Vannucci, L., Vetvicka, V."β-glucans and cholesterol (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41.4 (2018): 1799-1808.
Chicago
Sima, P., Vannucci, L., Vetvicka, V."β-glucans and cholesterol (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41, no. 4 (2018): 1799-1808. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3411