67
2012). This effect has been pinned to the ability of this polymer to form an unstirred
water layer which can resist the convective effects of intestinal contractions which
in turn decreases sugar absorption by the small intestine (Friedman 2016). Many
studies have also demonstrated that plant polysaccharides can regenerate the integrity of pancreatic tissues which leads to an increased insulin output by the functional β-cell and in effect lowers the blood glucose levels. These polysaccharides
have also been established to ameliorate the sensitivity of peripheral cells to circulating insulin (Hu et al. 2013).
Diabetes-associated dyslipidemia which is caused either by insulin resistance or
adipocytokines is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In diabetes, the
adipose cells are insulin-resistant so the insulin-mediated uptake of free fatty acids
in skeletal muscles is impaired. There will, therefore, be increased circulation of
free fatty acids flowing to the liver, resulting in increased synthesis of triglyceride
and the assembly of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). The characteristic of
dyslipidemia in diabetic patients, therefore, include hypertriglyceridemia.
Hyperglycemia and low insulin may also lead to increased VLDL production
(Friedman 2016). Adiponectin is reduced in diabetes and this increases the uptake
of free fatty acid by the muscle and reduces the plasma-free fatty acid level. This
mechanism is independent of insulin-resistance. Furthermore, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may also decrease. Indigestible polysaccharides can also reduce fat
absorption partly by binding to fat molecules in the digested food product and also
increasing their excretion (Uebelhack et al. 2014). β-Glucans extracted from barley,
which mainly contains β-(1,3-1,4)-d-glucan, have been demonstrated to reduce
blood lipid levels, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels (Talati et al. 2009).
4.7.6 Antimicrobial Activity
β-Glucan has been demonstrated to increase resistance to infectious challenge
(Friedman 2016) by eliciting broad anti-infective effects. The protective effect of
β-glucan has been established for microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus,
Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pneumocystis carinii, Listeria monocytogenes,
Leishmania donovani, and Influenza virus (El Khoury et al. 2011; Synytsya and
Novák 2013). Other studies hypothesized that systemic β-glucan treatment leads to
increased migration of neutrophils into a site of inflammation and also improve
antimicrobial function (Gilbert et al. 2016). β-glucan administration enhances
microbial killing by monocytes and neutrophils.
4.7.7 Wound Healing Activity
Wound healing takes place in three overlapping stages in most organs or tissues.
These stages are:
4 Bioactive Carbohydrates, Biological Activities, and Sources
2012). This effect has been pinned to the ability of this polymer to form an unstirred
water layer which can resist the convective effects of intestinal contractions which
in turn decreases sugar absorption by the small intestine (Friedman 2016). Many
studies have also demonstrated that plant polysaccharides can regenerate the integrity of pancreatic tissues which leads to an increased insulin output by the functional β-cell and in effect lowers the blood glucose levels. These polysaccharides
have also been established to ameliorate the sensitivity of peripheral cells to circulating insulin (Hu et al. 2013).
Diabetes-associated dyslipidemia which is caused either by insulin resistance or
adipocytokines is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In diabetes, the
adipose cells are insulin-resistant so the insulin-mediated uptake of free fatty acids
in skeletal muscles is impaired. There will, therefore, be increased circulation of
free fatty acids flowing to the liver, resulting in increased synthesis of triglyceride
and the assembly of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). The characteristic of
dyslipidemia in diabetic patients, therefore, include hypertriglyceridemia.
Hyperglycemia and low insulin may also lead to increased VLDL production
(Friedman 2016). Adiponectin is reduced in diabetes and this increases the uptake
of free fatty acid by the muscle and reduces the plasma-free fatty acid level. This
mechanism is independent of insulin-resistance. Furthermore, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may also decrease. Indigestible polysaccharides can also reduce fat
absorption partly by binding to fat molecules in the digested food product and also
increasing their excretion (Uebelhack et al. 2014). β-Glucans extracted from barley,
which mainly contains β-(1,3-1,4)-d-glucan, have been demonstrated to reduce
blood lipid levels, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels (Talati et al. 2009).
4.7.6 Antimicrobial Activity
β-Glucan has been demonstrated to increase resistance to infectious challenge
(Friedman 2016) by eliciting broad anti-infective effects. The protective effect of
β-glucan has been established for microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus,
Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Pneumocystis carinii, Listeria monocytogenes,
Leishmania donovani, and Influenza virus (El Khoury et al. 2011; Synytsya and
Novák 2013). Other studies hypothesized that systemic β-glucan treatment leads to
increased migration of neutrophils into a site of inflammation and also improve
antimicrobial function (Gilbert et al. 2016). β-glucan administration enhances
microbial killing by monocytes and neutrophils.
4.7.7 Wound Healing Activity
Wound healing takes place in three overlapping stages in most organs or tissues.
These stages are:
4 Bioactive Carbohydrates, Biological Activities, and Sources