Preparation of Glucan Sulfates with Different Degree of Substitution and Their Immunoprophylaxis Potentials in Escherichia coli Induced Mice Peritonitis

Glucan sulfates with different degree of substitution were prepared from partially sulphated insoluble β-1, 3-D-glucan isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall. Sulphation was done with sulfate acid (H₂SO₄) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in presence of urea. Varying reaction times, temperature and ratio of H₂SO₄ and DMSO were used to obtain glucan sulfates with distinct degree of substitution, which was measured by barium chloride-gelatin method. The immunoprophylaxis effect of glucan sulfates in a mouse model of Escherichia coli induced peritonitis was studied and found to be related to the degree of substitution. The result showed that as the degree of substitution increased, the immunoprophylaxis efficacy increased.