Abstract
Effects of Schizophyllan (SPG), a glucan produced by Schizophyllum commune, on experimental candidiasis of mice were examined.
(1) When the mice infected with Candida albicans were treated with SPG, the prolongation of life-span was recognized to some extent.
(2) No marked increase of the protective effect of SPG could be observed in combination with amphotericin B, clotrimazole, or 5-fluorocytocine.
(3) The time course for changes of viable number of C. albicans in various organs of mice revealed that the rate of decrease of viable number in blood of SPG-treated mice was more rapid than that in control animals. However, the viable number of C. albicans in liver, lung and kidney was nearly the same in both groups.
(4) The rate of clearance of C. albicans inoculated into peritoneal cavity was greater in SPG-treated mice than that in control.
(5) The measurement of viable number of C. albicans in cultivated macrophages showed that the fungicidal activity were much higher in the macrophages from SPG-treated mice than those from control.
(6) Both the percent phagocytosis and phagocytic index were greater in cultivated macrophages from SPG-treated mice than those from control.
(7) The morphological studies on C. albicans phagocytized into macrphages demonstrated that the growth of the organism in cultivated macrophages from SPG-treated mice was slower than that from control.
