ALTERATION OF BETA-D-GLUCAN FROM EDIBLE MUSHROOM AFTER INJECTION INTOMOUSE PERITONEAL-CAVITY

Tritium-labeled antitumor beta-D-glucan derivative (T-labeled glucan) was prepared from the branched beta-1,3-D-glucan of an edible mushroom , Volvariella volvacea, by its periodate oxidation followed by reducti on with NaBT4. Twenty-three hours after T-labeled glucan had been inje cted into the mouse peritoneal cavity, about 3% of the total radioacti vity injected was found in the mouse serum. In spite of the fact that T-labeled glucan had no affinity to the anion-exchange column before i njection, about 50% of the labeled beta-D-glucan in the serum thus obt ained was adsorbed onto the column. The labeled beta-D-glucan fraction eluted from the column by salt gradient showed antitumor activity in vivo.