Anti-tumor activity of an enzymatically synthesized alpha-1,6 branched alpha-1,4-glucan, glycogen.

Abstract

Oral administration of an enzymatically synthesized alpha-1,4:1,6-glycogen (ESG) at a dose of 50 mug/ml significantly prolonged the survival time of Meth A tumor-bearing mice. ESG also significantly stimulated macrophage-like cells (J774.1), leading to augmented production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The weight-average degree of polymerization (DPw) and the ratio of branch linkage (BL) of ESG were 149,000 and 8.1% respectively. beta-Amylase-treated ESG, however, lost J774.1-activating activity although inhibited subcutaneous growth of Meth A tumor cells admixed with it. Its DPw and BL changed to 126,000 and 20% respectively. Partially degraded amylopectin [(AP), DPw: 110,000, BL; 5.1] was also effective at stimulating J774.1, but its activity was lower than that of ESG. Other alpha-glucans [cycloamylose (CA), enzymatically synthesized amylose (ESA), highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD), and beta-amylase-treated HBCD], of which DPw was lower than that of ESG, showed no J774.1-activating activity and weaker anti-tumor activity.

• Authors: Kazuo Ryoyama, Yumi Kidachi, Hideaki Yamaguchi, Hideki Kajiura, Hiroki Takata
• Journal: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (Biosci Biotechnol Biochem) Vol. 68 Issue 11 Pg. 2332-40 (Nov 2004) ISSN: 0916-8451 [Print] England
• PMID: 15564673 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Glucans
• Indicators and Reagents
• Tetrazolium Salts
• Thiazoles
• Nitric Oxide
• Glycogen
• Amylose
• thiazolyl blue

Topics

• Amylose (chemistry)
• Antineoplastic Agents (chemical synthesis, pharmacology)
• Glucans (chemistry)
• Glycogen (chemical synthesis, chemistry, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Indicators and Reagents
• Neoplasms, Experimental (drug therapy, pathology)
• Nitric Oxide (biosynthesis)
• Structure-Activity Relationship
• Tetrazolium Salts
• Thiazoles