Depolymerisation of a glucan polymer

availability_state

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

evidence_span

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experimental_model

Ileostomy model comparing breads made from oat bran, a barley fraction and wheat flour

exposure

Diets based on oat bread, barley bread, wheat bread or oat bread with enzymatically degraded beta-glucan, providing 12.5, 12.9, 1.1 and 4.0 grams per day

limitations

Nine ileostomy subjects. The loss is inferred by comparing intake with excretion rather than measured directly as degradation.

nutrient_topic

Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

organism

Human

plain_language

A good deal of the polymer is already broken up by the time the bread is baked, let alone eaten.

primary_references

[bg-p8942412] Mixed-linked beta-glucan from breads of different cereals is partly degraded in the human ileostomy model. (1996). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8942412/ DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/64.6.878

tissue_or_cell_type

Terminal ileum

trigger_kind

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 554–565

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Ileostomy model comparing breads made from oat bran, a barley fraction and wheat flour · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### bg-bread-making-already-cuts-it A notable loss of beta-glucan of 0.7 to 2.4 g/d or 13 to 64% was found when intake was compared with excretion, in vitro a higher viscosity development with time for dispersions of oat bread compared with barley bread was noted which could be related to the higher molecular weight of the beta-glucan in this bread, and there seemed to be a depolymerization of the beta-glucan both during bread making and transit through the upper gastrointestinal tract. Condition category: biomarker_context nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: A good deal of the polymer is already broken up by the time the bread is baked, let alone eaten. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Terminal ileum experimental_model: Ileostomy model comparing breads made from oat bran, a barley fraction and wheat flour limitations: Nine ileostomy subjects. The loss is inferred by comparing intake with excretion rather than measured directly as degradation. exposure: Diets based on oat bread, barley bread, wheat bread or oat bread with enzymatically degraded beta-glucan, providing 12.5, 12.9, 1.1 and 4.0 grams per day evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/8942412.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "9d60ab74209102dfe9e61c4f1a0f45fdc2119c986e385b8174a101f9f98ae3e1", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1172, "text_sha256": "9d60ab74209102dfe9e61c4f1a0f45fdc2119c986e385b8174a101f9f98ae3e1"} [bg-p8942412] Mixed-linked beta-glucan from breads of different cereals is partly degraded in the human ileostomy model. (1996). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8942412/ DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/64.6.878

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/33608654.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "676672cfbc790125f3f39b9afbaa9211422f6ba82c3dc394c816268de96002c7", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1872, "text_sha256": "676672cfbc790125f3f39b9afbaa9211422f6ba82c3dc394c816268de96002c7"}

experimental_model

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 103 acute crossover trial comparisons in 538 participants

exposure

Oat beta-glucan concentrate or oat bran added to carbohydrate-containing test meals against carbohydrate-matched controls

limitations

Acute meal responses with high certainty of evidence by GRADE. The magnitude depends on dose, molecular weight and which control meal is used, so a pooled percentage is not a prediction for any particular food.

nutrient_topic

Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

organism

Human

plain_language

Adding it to a meal takes about a quarter off the glucose rise, but only if the polymer is long enough.

primary_references

[bg-p33608654] The effect of oat β-glucan on postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33608654/ DOI: 10.1038/s41430-021-00875-9

tissue_or_cell_type

Postprandial glucose and insulin

Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 567–578

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Systematic review and meta-analysis of 103 acute crossover trial comparisons in 538 participants · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### bg-acute-glycaemic-response-falls Oat beta-glucan reduced glucose incremental area under the curve and incremental peak rise by 23% and 28% and insulin by 22% and 24% respectively, dose, molecular weight and comparator were significant effect modifiers of glucose incremental area under the curve and peak, significant linear dose-response relationships were observed for all outcomes, oat beta-glucan molecular weight above 300 kg/mol significantly reduced glucose measures whereas molecular weight below 300 kg/mol did not, outcomes were similar in participants with and without diabetes, and all outcomes had high certainty of evidence. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: Adding it to a meal takes about a quarter off the glucose rise, but only if the polymer is long enough. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Postprandial glucose and insulin experimental_model: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 103 acute crossover trial comparisons in 538 participants limitations: Acute meal responses with high certainty of evidence by GRADE. The magnitude depends on dose, molecular weight and which control meal is used, so a pooled percentage is not a prediction for any particular food. exposure: Oat beta-glucan concentrate or oat bran added to carbohydrate-containing test meals against carbohydrate-matched controls evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/33608654.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "676672cfbc790125f3f39b9afbaa9211422f6ba82c3dc394c816268de96002c7", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1872, "text_sha256": "676672cfbc790125f3f39b9afbaa9211422f6ba82c3dc394c816268de96002c7"} [bg-p33608654] The effect of oat β-glucan on postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33608654/ DOI: 10.1038/s41430-021-00875-9

availability_state

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/20660224.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "dbd9787f6688f544bb47e44be561d20ec653daf5627f9022ac1302249924daf0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2139, "text_sha256": "dbd9787f6688f544bb47e44be561d20ec653daf5627f9022ac1302249924daf0"}

experimental_model

Double-blind parallel-design multicentre trial randomising 367 people across four molecular weights and two doses

exposure

Extruded cereal delivering 3 or 4 grams per day of oat beta-glucan at molecular weights of 2,210,000, 850,000, 530,000 or 210,000 grams per mole for four weeks

limitations

The comparator is a wheat-fibre cereal and 345 of 367 completed. A nonsignificant estimate in one arm is not a demonstration of no effect.

nutrient_topic

Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

organism

Human

plain_language

Cutting the polymer into shorter pieces halved what it did, even at a higher dose.

primary_references

[bg-p20660224] Physicochemical properties of oat β-glucan influence its ability to reduce serum LDL cholesterol in humans: a randomized clinical trial. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20660224/ DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2010.29174

tissue_or_cell_type

Serum LDL cholesterol

trigger_kind

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 515–526

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Double-blind parallel-design multicentre trial randomising 367 people across four molecular weights and two doses · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### bg-depolymerising-halves-the-effect LDL cholesterol was significantly less with 3 g high molecular weight, 4 g medium molecular weight and 3 g medium molecular weight oat beta-glucan cereals than with the wheat-fiber cereal by 0.21 or 5.5%, 0.26 or 6.5% and 0.19 or 4.7% mmol/L respectively, however the effect of 4 g low molecular weight oat beta-glucan per day at 0.10 mmol/L was not significant, log of molecular weight times the amount solubilized was a significant determinant of LDL cholesterol, and efficacy was reduced by 50% when molecular weight was reduced to 210,000 g/mol. Condition category: biomarker_context nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: Cutting the polymer into shorter pieces halved what it did, even at a higher dose. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Serum LDL cholesterol experimental_model: Double-blind parallel-design multicentre trial randomising 367 people across four molecular weights and two doses limitations: The comparator is a wheat-fibre cereal and 345 of 367 completed. A nonsignificant estimate in one arm is not a demonstration of no effect. exposure: Extruded cereal delivering 3 or 4 grams per day of oat beta-glucan at molecular weights of 2,210,000, 850,000, 530,000 or 210,000 grams per mole for four weeks evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/20660224.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "dbd9787f6688f544bb47e44be561d20ec653daf5627f9022ac1302249924daf0", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2139, "text_sha256": "dbd9787f6688f544bb47e44be561d20ec653daf5627f9022ac1302249924daf0"} [bg-p20660224] Physicochemical properties of oat β-glucan influence its ability to reduce serum LDL cholesterol in humans: a randomized clinical trial. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20660224/ DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2010.29174

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/15240666.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "eaff7297fa40df19ef82e5e1de433ec0cf34590a7e3fda6aa6061e0922666781", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1454, "text_sha256": "eaff7297fa40df19ef82e5e1de433ec0cf34590a7e3fda6aa6061e0922666781"}

experimental_model

Fluorescein-labelled oral glucans tracked through macrophages to marrow, with therapy in C3-deficient and CR3-deficient mice

exposure

Orally administered barley beta-1,3;1,4-glucan and orally administered yeast beta-1,3;1,6-glucan, each with antitumour monoclonal antibody

limitations

The single experiment in this collection that tested a cereal mixed-linkage glucan and a yeast branched glucan side by side in the same protocol. It is a mouse tumour model, and oral uptake in mice does not establish the same uptake in people.

nutrient_topic

Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

organism

Mouse

plain_language

Swallowed glucan is carried to the marrow inside macrophages, cut up there, and handed to granulocytes on the way out.

primary_references

[bg-p15240666] Mechanism by which orally administered beta-1,3-glucans enhance the tumoricidal activity of antitumor monoclonal antibodies in murine tumor models. (2004). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15240666/ DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.2.797

tissue_or_cell_type

Gut, spleen, lymph node, bone marrow and tumour

Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 255–266

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Fluorescein-labelled oral glucans tracked through macrophages to marrow, with therapy in C3-deficient and CR3-deficient mice · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### bg-macrophages-carry-and-cut-it Barley and yeast beta-1,3-glucan were labelled with fluorescein to track their oral uptake and processing in vivo, orally administered beta-1,3-glucans were taken up by macrophages that transported them to spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow, within the bone marrow the macrophages degraded the large beta-1,3-glucans into smaller soluble beta-1,3-glucan fragments that were taken up by the CR3 of marginated granulocytes, and these granulocytes with CR3-bound beta-1,3-glucan-fluorescein were shown to kill iC3b-opsonized tumour cells following their recruitment to a site of complement activation resembling a tumour coated with monoclonal antibody. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: Swallowed glucan is carried to the marrow inside macrophages, cut up there, and handed to granulocytes on the way out. organism: Mouse tissue_or_cell_type: Gut, spleen, lymph node, bone marrow and tumour experimental_model: Fluorescein-labelled oral glucans tracked through macrophages to marrow, with therapy in C3-deficient and CR3-deficient mice limitations: The single experiment in this collection that tested a cereal mixed-linkage glucan and a yeast branched glucan side by side in the same protocol. It is a mouse tumour model, and oral uptake in mice does not establish the same uptake in people. exposure: Orally administered barley beta-1,3;1,4-glucan and orally administered yeast beta-1,3;1,6-glucan, each with antitumour monoclonal antibody evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/15240666.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "eaff7297fa40df19ef82e5e1de433ec0cf34590a7e3fda6aa6061e0922666781", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1454, "text_sha256": "eaff7297fa40df19ef82e5e1de433ec0cf34590a7e3fda6aa6061e0922666781"} [bg-p15240666] Mechanism by which orally administered beta-1,3-glucans enhance the tumoricidal activity of antitumor monoclonal antibodies in murine tumor models. (2004). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15240666/ DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.2.797

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/22118569.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e1f7121d5a128b1e43ab60ba66394c7ca094617309c976e0b4c8c92ac46b4f23", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1812, "text_sha256": "e1f7121d5a128b1e43ab60ba66394c7ca094617309c976e0b4c8c92ac46b4f23"}

experimental_model

Post-hoc analysis of the same four-week multicentre trial by participant ethnicity

exposure

The same oat beta-glucan molecular weight and dose arms, analysed in Caucasian and non-Caucasian subgroups

limitations

A post-hoc subgroup analysis of a trial designed to answer a different question, and the authors state it was underpowered to detect a difference between the groups.

nutrient_topic

Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

organism

Human

plain_language

The effect showed up in both groups, and the trial was too small to say whether it is bigger in one.

primary_references

[bg-p22118569] Bioactive oat β-glucan reduces LDL cholesterol in Caucasians and non-Caucasians. (2011). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22118569/ DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-10-130

tissue_or_cell_type

Serum LDL cholesterol

Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 528–539

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Post-hoc analysis of the same four-week multicentre trial by participant ethnicity · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### bg-the-effect-is-not-ethnicity-specific LDL cholesterol after 4 weeks was influenced by baseline LDL cholesterol and treatment but not ethnicity with p = 0.74, in all subjects compared to control the three bioactive arms reduced LDL cholesterol significantly by 4.8 to 6.5% while the 4 gram low molecular weight arm had no effect, and the bioactive oat beta-glucan treatments reduced LDL cholesterol by a combined mean of 0.18 mmol/L or 4.8% in Caucasians, a value not significantly different from the 0.37 mmol/L or 10.3% reduction in non-Caucasians, with insufficient power to determine if the magnitude differed by ethnicity. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: The effect showed up in both groups, and the trial was too small to say whether it is bigger in one. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Serum LDL cholesterol experimental_model: Post-hoc analysis of the same four-week multicentre trial by participant ethnicity limitations: A post-hoc subgroup analysis of a trial designed to answer a different question, and the authors state it was underpowered to detect a difference between the groups. exposure: The same oat beta-glucan molecular weight and dose arms, analysed in Caucasian and non-Caucasian subgroups evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/22118569.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "e1f7121d5a128b1e43ab60ba66394c7ca094617309c976e0b4c8c92ac46b4f23", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1812, "text_sha256": "e1f7121d5a128b1e43ab60ba66394c7ca094617309c976e0b4c8c92ac46b4f23"} [bg-p22118569] Bioactive oat β-glucan reduces LDL cholesterol in Caucasians and non-Caucasians. (2011). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22118569/ DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-10-130

availability_state

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

evidence_span

{"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/31828287.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "983ae8675d933c4292f9f20059e93db94587b9a570fbfb602f5921f5bd7edd70", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2204, "text_sha256": "983ae8675d933c4292f9f20059e93db94587b9a570fbfb602f5921f5bd7edd70"}

experimental_model

Double-blind randomised crossover trial in 28 participants with gastric emptying, appetite hormones and an unrestricted test lunch

exposure

Breakfast meals matched for weight, energy and macronutrients containing 2 or 4 grams of oat beta-glucan, or 4 grams treated with beta-glucanase to reduce molecular weight and viscosity

limitations

The beta-glucanase arm is the control that isolates viscosity. The trial was designed around food intake as the primary endpoint and found no effect on it.

nutrient_topic

Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

organism

Human

plain_language

The intact polymer held the meal in the stomach nearly three times longer; the same dose chopped up did nothing.

primary_references

[bg-p31828287] Increasing oat β-glucan viscosity in a breakfast meal slows gastric emptying and reduces glycemic and insulinemic responses but has no effect on appetite, food intake, or plasma ghrelin and PYY responses in healthy humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. (2020). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31828287/ DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz285

tissue_or_cell_type

Stomach and postprandial circulation

trigger_kind

biomarker_context Imported condition classification; unverified.

Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 580–591

AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · Double-blind randomised crossover trial in 28 participants with gastric emptying, appetite hormones and an unrestricted test lunch · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

### bg-viscosity-slows-the-stomach Compared with the control cereal, 4 grams of oat beta-glucan significantly reduced glucose incremental area under the curve at 78 compared with 135 mmol x min/L and insulin at 14.0 compared with 26.8 nmol x min/L and delayed gastric emptying half-time to a geometric mean of 285 minutes compared with 105 minutes, effects not seen after the beta-glucanase-treated arm of the same dose, while subjective appetite, PYY and ghrelin responses were similar to control and pizza intakes at a subsequent unrestricted meal were not significantly different. Condition category: biomarker_context nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: The intact polymer held the meal in the stomach nearly three times longer; the same dose chopped up did nothing. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Stomach and postprandial circulation experimental_model: Double-blind randomised crossover trial in 28 participants with gastric emptying, appetite hormones and an unrestricted test lunch limitations: The beta-glucanase arm is the control that isolates viscosity. The trial was designed around food intake as the primary endpoint and found no effect on it. exposure: Breakfast meals matched for weight, energy and macronutrients containing 2 or 4 grams of oat beta-glucan, or 4 grams treated with beta-glucanase to reduce molecular weight and viscosity evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/31828287.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "983ae8675d933c4292f9f20059e93db94587b9a570fbfb602f5921f5bd7edd70", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 2204, "text_sha256": "983ae8675d933c4292f9f20059e93db94587b9a570fbfb602f5921f5bd7edd70"} [bg-p31828287] Increasing oat β-glucan viscosity in a breakfast meal slows gastric emptying and reduces glycemic and insulinemic responses but has no effect on appetite, food intake, or plasma ghrelin and PYY responses in healthy humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. (2020). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31828287/ DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz285