The protective effect of MT-α-glucan against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced NIT-1 pancreatic β-cell damage

► MT-α-glucan is a new kind of α-glucan purified from fruit body of maitake. ► MT-α-glucan has protective effect on damaged NIT-1 pancreatic β-cells induced by streptozotocin in vitro. ► MT-α-glucan could decrease levels of β-cell-destroying factors such as oxidative stress and NO synthesis.