Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biomedical Sciences
Date of Award
12-2008
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Peter J. Rice
Committee Members
Thomas W. Ecay Jr., Kenneth E. Ferslew, David L. Williams
Abstract
(1→3)-β-D-Glucans are carbohydrate polymers that are present in the cell wall of various fungi and bacteria; they are pathogen associated molecular patterns that circulate during infection and modulate immunity. Our laboratory has previously established the pharmacokinetics of intravenously and orally administered glucans; the present studies investigated the renal excretion of (1→3)-β-D-glucans following intravenous and oral administration. Three fluorescently-labeled glucans were administered to adult male rats in the presence or absence of toxic challenge. Urine specimens were collected and analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography and GPC/MALLS. 71 ± 3% of fluorescence remained in the >5K MWCO fraction; this fraction showed a minor peak with a molecular mass (171 ± 11K) corresponding to injected glucan (~150K). Most excreted glucans were of lower molecular mass (13 ± 8.5K), indicating most (1→3)-β-D-glucans are excreted by the kidneys as smaller polysaccharides. The presence of urinary glucans may be an important indicator of fungal infection.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Head, Debra K., "Urinary Excretion of (1-3)-Beta-D-Glucans." (2008). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2002. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2002
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.