Application and role of yeast cell wall in mammals

1、 Introduction

      The yeast cell wall is an important structural component of yeast cells, which is rich in various bioactive components. In recent years, its application in the field of mammals has received widespread attention, demonstrating unique value in both animal husbandry and healthcare. The following will elaborate on the application and mechanism of action of yeast cell walls in mammals.

2、 The main components of yeast cell wall

      The yeast cell wall is mainly composed of glucan, mannan, and a small amount of protein, chitin, and other components.

      β - glucan: It is a polysaccharide composed of glucose molecules connected by specific glycosidic bonds, with a complex and unique molecular structure. For example, it can form different spatial conformations such as spirals, which endow it with many special biological activities.
      Mannan: Also a polysaccharide substance, it is polymerized from mannose monomers, often with some side chain structures, and can bind with proteins to form glycoproteins, playing an important role in immune regulation and other aspects.

3、 Application and role in animal husbandry

（1） Enhance animal immunity

      Immune activation effect: For mammalian farming (such as pigs, cows, sheep, etc.), β - glucan in yeast cell walls can serve as an immune activator. It can passively recognize and bind to corresponding receptors on the surface of immune cells (such as macrophages) inside objects, activate macrophages, enhance their phagocytic ability, and more effectively eliminate pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses, etc.) in the body. Just like installing an "alarm" on an animal's immune system, once an external "enemy" invades, the immune system can quickly respond.

      Regulating immune response: Mannan can regulate the immune response of animals, promoting the rational secretion of immune factors (such as cytokines) by immune cells, so that the immune response is neither too strong to cause damage to the body (such as excessive inflammatory response), nor too weak to resist diseases, helping animals maintain a good immune balance. For example, in the stage of young livestock, their immune system has not fully developed and matured. The addition of yeast cell walls helps to improve and strengthen their immune function, reduce the occurrence of diseases, and improve the survival rate of young livestock.

（2） Improve intestinal health

      Promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria: The components in yeast cell walls can act as prebiotics in the mammalian gut, especially mannans. It can be selectively utilized by beneficial microorganisms in the gut (such as bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, etc.), promoting their proliferation and inhibiting the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria (such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, etc.), thereby improving the gut microbiota environment. It is like "fertilizing" beneficial bacteria, allowing them to grow vigorously in the "garden" of the gut, and "squeezing" harmful bacteria out of their living space.

      Protecting the intestinal barrier: β - glucan can enhance the tight connections between intestinal epithelial cells, making the intestinal barrier function more complete. This is like reinforcing the "wall" of the intestine, reducing the possibility of harmful substances (such as endotoxins) entering the bloodstream through the intestinal wall, and lowering the risk of intestinal inflammation and systemic infections in animals. In dairy farming, maintaining good intestinal health can improve cows' ability to digest and absorb feed, thereby increasing milk production and quality.

（3） Improve production performance

      Promoting nutrient absorption: By improving intestinal health and optimizing the gut microbiota environment, yeast cell walls help to enhance the digestion and absorption efficiency of various nutrients (such as proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, etc.) in mammalian feed. For example, in pig farming, adding yeast cell walls to feed can help pigs better absorb nutrients from the feed, accelerate growth rate, shorten slaughter time, and improve the economic benefits of farming.

      Relieve stress response: During the breeding process, mammals often face various stress factors (such as herd switching, transportation, environmental temperature changes, etc.). Yeast cell walls can regulate the physiological state of animals, alleviate the negative effects of stress, and enable animals to better adapt to environmental changes and maintain good growth and production performance. For example, in poultry farming, adding yeast cell walls can reduce the occurrence of adverse phenomena such as weight loss and weakened immunity when facing transportation and other stress situations.

4、 Application and role in the field of healthcare

（1） Immune regulation and adjuvant therapy

      In terms of adjuvant therapy for tumors: For mammals with tumors (including experimental animal models and some pets), the immune regulatory effect of yeast cell walls can be combined with conventional tumor treatment methods (such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.). β - glucan can activate the body's immune system, enhance the recognition and killing ability of immune cells towards tumor cells, and play a certain auxiliary anti-cancer effect. At the same time, it can also alleviate the side effects of immune suppression caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc., helping animals better tolerate the treatment process and improve their quality of life.

      Prevention and treatment of infectious diseases: in the face of some infectious diseases, yeast cell wall can enhance the anti infection ability of the body, help mammals clear pathogens faster and shorten the course of disease. For example, using immune regulating products containing yeast cell wall components can help accelerate the recovery process of pet cats and dogs infected with viruses or bacteria.

（2） Improving intestinal function and health management

      Regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis: In some mammals where gut microbiota dysbiosis occurs (such as after long-term use of antibiotics or intestinal diseases), yeast cell walls can serve as an effective regulatory tool. Promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, inhibiting harmful bacteria, rebuilding a healthy gut microbiota, and improving symptoms of intestinal dysfunction such as diarrhea and constipation are of great significance for maintaining the overall health of mammals.

      Improving intestinal barrier function to prevent diseases: From a preventive perspective, enhancing intestinal barrier function can reduce the entry of intestinal endotoxins and pathogens into the bloodstream, which has potential positive effects on preventing some systemic inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases, especially for elderly mammals or individuals with relatively weak intestinal barrier function or chronic diseases.

5、 Conclusion

      Yeast cell walls, with their unique composition and diverse biological activities, have important application value and positive effects in various aspects such as mammalian animal husbandry and healthcare. With the continuous deepening of research, it is believed that its application scope will further expand in the future, playing a greater role in ensuring the health of mammals and improving the efficiency of related industries. However, in practical applications, it is also necessary to use different mammals reasonably according to their species, growth stages, and specific needs, in order to fully leverage their advantages.