Future Mushroom Research Shifts focus from the Immune System to Hormone Regulation

After the vast number of published studies demonstrating Agaricus blazei can stimulate a variety of important immune cells and their signaling molecules (cytokines), scientists have decided to look beyond the immune system to explain the health benefits offered by certain mushrooms.

Currently, there are human studies being conducted at the City of Hope Research Hospital in Duarte, California. There scientists are studying a “cousin” of Agaricus blazei, known as Agaricus bisporus, a mushroom in the genus Agaricus. Prior enzymatic assays done at City of Hope on isolated cells, have shown that Agaricus bisporus as well as Agaricus blazei inhibited the activity of enzymes aromatase and 5- alpha-reductase, enzymes responsible for the production of estrogen and dihydrotestosterone, respectively. Scientists have deemed this finding very intriguing and worth further study, due to the fact that elevated levels of estrogen and dihydrotestosterone have been strongly associated with various serious health conditions.

Reference:
Chen S, Oh SR, Phung S, Hur G, Ye JJ, Kwok SL, Shrode GE, Belury M, Adams LS, Williams D (December 2006). "Anti-aromatase activity of phytochemicals in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)". Cancer Res. 66 (24): 12026–34. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-2206. PMID 17178902

Mushroom Study Provides Dramatic Results

This month, a large case-control study examining the eating habits of 2,018 women, was published by researchers at the University of Western Australia. The study linked consumption of mushrooms with significant health protecting properties. Besides this important finding, researchers noticed a powerful synergistic effect between consumption of mushrooms and green tea, which was linked with dramatic health protecting benefits.

Researchers in the study pointed out that there was no difference in health benefits between fresh and dried mushroom consumption and according to the study, as little as one mushroom daily could offer a significant benefit. Researchers also noted that in addition to having a protective effect on subjects, mushrooms also seem to cut the malignancy of health conditions when they did appear. A positive correlation was also established between the amount of mushroom consumption and protective health benefits offered.

Another mushroom study might be published soon when scientists at the City of Hope Research Center in California finish investigating whether taking a mushroom extract twice a day for a month will offer benefits to patients with serious health issues. The study is focusing on the Agaricus bisporus mushroom, (a mushroom closely related to Agaricus blazei a mushroom which actually has lower levels of the biologically active compounds found in the Agaricus blazei mushroom.

Reference:
Zhang M, Huang J, Xie X. Dietary intakes of mushrooms and green tea combine to reduce the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women. Int J Cancer 2009; 124(6); 1404-1408.

Interferon – γ, Trumpet Call of the Immune System

When the body first notices that its cells have been infected by bacteria, a virus, or are not functioning properly, natural killer cells (a type of immune cell) are the first to respond. Although, natural killer are efficient at eliminating these types of problematic cells, they often require the help of a more diverse group of specialized immune cells. The way in which natural killer cells recruit other immune cells, is by releasing a signaling molecule known as interferon–γ, or simply IFN-γ. When IFN- γ is released, it acts as an attractant to a large variety of immune cells which can better deal with the situation.
In 2007 a study published in the journal Immunology, demonstrated that oral administration of Agaricus blazei extract could increase IFN-γ production in both live mice and isolated mice tissue.

Some of the Roles of IFN-γ

1. Highlights malfunctioning cells with markers (class 1 MHC molecules that carry antigens) so the immune system can more readily identify and destroy them.
2. Increases antigen presentation to macrophage (increases macrophage’s ability to target newley encountered bacteria and viruses).
3. Increases macrophage’s ability to destory pathogens/unhealthy cells (via increasing lysomal activity).
4. Promotes natural killer cell activity.
5. Acts as a recruiter for other immune cells such as macrophage and cytotoxic T cells.

Reference:
Yuminamochi E, Koike T, Takeda K, Horiuchi I, Okumura K. Interleukin-12- and interferon-gamma-mediated natural killer cell activation by Agaricus blazei Murill. Immunology 2007;121:197-206.