An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of graded levels of β-glucanase supplementation to barley (Hordeum vulgare)-based diets on the digestibility of DM, GE, N, and AA for growing-finishing pigs. Eight pigs (initial BW: 53.3 ± 3.2 kg) were each fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum and allotted to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 diets and 4 periods in ea...

Beta-glucans are soluble fibers with physiological functions, such as interference with absorption of sugars and reduction of serum lipid levels. The objective of the present study was to analyze the distribution of beta-glucans in different tissues of the African grass species Rhynchelytrum repens and also to evaluate their hypoglycemic activity. Leaf blades, sheaths, stems, and young leaves o...

Macrophage-induced lung inflammation contributes substantially to respiratory failure during Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. We isolated a P. carinii cell wall fraction rich in glucan carbohydrate, which potently induces TNF-alpha and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 generation from alveolar macrophages. Instillation of this purified P. carinii carbohydrate cell wall fraction into healthy rode...