Glucomannan enhanced the macrophage activity in exposure to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): in-vitro study

The increasing number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus persuade the need for preventive measures. Glucomannan is a polysaccharide choice for developing immunological strategies. This study aimed to investigate changes in gene expression and phagocytic activity of macrophage cells in the presence of glucomannan.

The effect of different concentrations of glucomannan (25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) on the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells was measured using the colony count method. The expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) genes was evaluated by Real-Time PCR.

The concentrations of glucomannan significantly reduced the bacterial Colony-Forming Unit (CFU) and increased the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells. The maximum effect of glucomannan on iNOS and TNF-Α genes expression was 100 µg/mL.

Glucomannan should be considered an adjuvant that stimulates the immune system. It may increase the expression of TNF-α and iNOS genes and the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.