By Sophia Doan
Often blamed for a kid’s missed day of school, or the reason someone had to skip work, the flu remains one of the most common diseases. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that between 2010 and 2024, around 9.3 to 41 million people have contracted the flu (cdc.gov). New vaccines every year have tried to combat this rampant disease, however, not many cures or aids exist for influenza. Many trials and experiments have been conducted to find possible aids, and finally, a breakthrough in a study in Canada may have unlocked a new possibility. Maziar Divangahi, a notable professor and scientist at McGill University, led an experimental study testing components in mushrooms that may be able to help flu symptoms and long-term effects.
Beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that is found in all mushrooms—as well as grains like oat and barley—has been the focus of their clinical trial. This preclinical trial has made the conclusion that beta-glucan may have a chance to “reprogram immune cells to prevent lung inflammation” (goodnewsnetwork.org). While many other scientific studies focused on influenza tend to fixate on stopping the virus from replicating, this study explored how to “regulate the body’s immunity to infection, a concept known as disease tolerance” (mcgill.ca). Although not completely proven, beta-glucan administered to mice in the clinical trial can result in reduced lung damage, improved lung function, and lower the risk of severe illness or death. This fiber could change the whole conversation around influenza, and how the illness affects millions all over the world. According to the findings of the scientists published in a scientific journal,
“To investigate the potential benefit of β-glucan in host defense against pulmonary viral infection, we treated C57BL/6 mice with β-glucan intraperitoneallyand, after 7 d, mice were infected with IAV (Fig. With a lethal dose, mice treated with β-glucan showed significantly reduced morbidity and increased survival against IAV” (nature.com).
To summarize, among other breakthroughs, this study found that in the trial mice, beta-glucan had significant effects against influenza. The structure of this fiber can boost defenses against pathogens. Since beta-glucan remains so common and widespread, this discovery could be a major breakthrough.
One of the researchers commented, “it is remarkable how beta-glucan can reprogram certain immune cells, such as neutrophils, to control excessive inflammation in the lung” (goodnewsnetwork.org).
All in all, this breakthrough discovery has major potential to help aid the future of influenza healthcare and how the disease is treated.