From NIH Web Site

Hi guys.

I ran into this article study while search for "glyconutrients" on Google.

Below is what was posted on http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9829439

The in vitro immunomodulatory effects of glyconutrients on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

In humans, eight monosaccharides are required for the synthesis of glycoproteins. Dietary supplements that supply these crucial sugars are known as glyconutrients. A glyconutrient compound was added to Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) isolated from normal controls and patients with the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a disease associated with immune dysregulation. The in vitro immunomodulatory effects were investigated. Cell surface expression of the glycoproteins CD5, CD8, and CD11a were significantly lower in patients with CFS compared to normal controls. Addition of glyconutrient homogenate to PBMC from patients with CFS stimulated with phytohemagglutinin significantly increased the expression of each glycoprotein. Furthermore, natural killer (NK) cell function was reduced in CFS patients. The glyconutrient preparation significantly enhanced NK cell activity versus human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6)-infected H9 cells in an 8 h 51Cr release assay compared to placebo for PBMC from patients with CFS (p< .01). Finally, apoptosis was significantly higher in patients with CFS. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly decreased in PBMC from patients with CFS that had been incubated for 48 h with glyconutrients. Thus, glyconutrients improved abnormal immune parameters in vitro in patients with CFS.

Cell to Cell Communication

Every cell in our bodies - all 600 trillion of them -- are coated with glycoconjugates; a mixture of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. These molecules protrude from the cell surfaces like delicate hairs. Scientists now know that each cell uses the carbohydrates on its surface to communicate -- both giving and receiving information about its surface. Healthy cell-to-cell communication is the best start to a healthy body.

Glycoproteins

A glycoprotein is a macromolecule composed of a protein and a carbohydrate (an oligosaccharide). The carbohydrate is attached to the protein in a cotranslational or posttranslational modification. The addition of sugar chains can happen either at asparagine, and is termed N-glycosylation, or at hydroxylysine, hydroxyproline, serine, or threonine, and is termed O-glycosylation. Monosaccharides commonly found in eukaryotic glycoproteins include glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, n-acetylgalactosamine, mannose, fucose, xylose and n-acetylneuraminic acid (also known as sialic acid).

The sugar group can assist in protein folding or improve its stability. Glycoproteins are often used in proteins that are at least in part located in extracellular space (that is, outside the cell). Glycoproteins are important for immune cell recognition, especially in mammals. Examples of glycoproteins in the immune system are:

• Molecules such as antibodies (immunoglobulins), which interact directly with antigens


• Molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (or MHC), which are expressed on the surface of cells and interact with T-cells as part of the adaptive immune response

Other examples of glycoproteins include:

• Components of the zona pellucida, which surrounds the oocyte, and is important for sperm-egg interaction


• Soluble glycoproteins often show a high viscosity, for example, in egg white and blood plasma

Hormones that are glycoproteins include:

Follicle stimulating hormone
Luteinizing hormone
Thyroid stimulating hormone
human chorionic gonadotropin
Alpha-fetoprotein
Erythropoietin (EPO)

Lifespan of Cells

Your body is made up of over 600 trillion cells. Cells are constantly being born and dying and cells have different life spans ranging from hours to years.

Each of these 600 trillion cells is born, reproduces and dies within a cycle defined by each cell's DNA. It is important that these cells are properly glycosylated at all stages.

Here is a list of a some cell types and their lifespans:

Granulocytes, eosinophils basophils, neutrophils: 10 hours to 3 days
Stomach lining cells: 2 days
Sperm cells: 2-3 days
Stomach lining cells: 2 days
Colon cells: 3-4 days
Epithelia of small intestine: 1 week or less
Platelets: 10 days
Skin epidermal cells: 2 - 4 weeks
Lymphocytes: 2 months - a year (highly variable)
Red blood cells: 4 months
Stomach lining cells: 2 days
Macrophages: months - years
Endothelial cells: months - years
Pancreas cells: 1 year or more
Bone cells: 25 - 30 years