Influence of Short-Term Consumption of Hericium erinaceus on Serum Biochemical Markers and the Changes of the Gut Microbiota: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) is widely studied as a medicinal and edible fungus. Recent studies have shown that H. erinaceus has protective effects for diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, which are related to gut microbiota. To investigate the benefits of H. erinaceus intake on gut microbiota and blood indices in adulthood, we recruited 13 healthy adults to consume H. erinaceus powder as a dietary supplement. Blood changes due to H. erinaceus consumption were determined by routine hematological examination and characterized by serum biochemical markers. Microbiota composition was profiled by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results showed that daily H. erinaceus supplementation increased the alpha diversity within the gut microbiota community, upregulated the relative abundance of some short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria (Kineothrix alysoides, Gemmiger formicilis, Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans, Eubacterium rectale, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii), and downregulated some pathobionts (Streptococcus thermophilus, Bacteroides caccae, Romboutsia timonensis). Changes within the gut microbiota were correlated with blood chemical indices including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (CREA). Thus, we found that the gut microbiota alterations may be part of physiological adaptations to a seven-day H. erinaceus supplementation, potentially influencing beneficial health effects.

Digestive Characteristics of Hericium erinaceus Polysaccharides and Their Positive Effects on Fecal Microbiota of Male and Female Volunteers During in vitro Fermentation

“…The data of α diversity indicate that HEPs can increase the bacterial richness and diversity of male fecal fermentation broth and increase the bacterial diversity of female fecal fermentation broth. This is consistent with population studies which state that daily H. erinaceus supplementation increases the Alpha diversity within the GM community ( 20 ). According to the previous research data of the population, the richness of the bacterial community is closely linked to obesity, e.g., obese individuals had lower bacterial abundance and gained more weight over time ( 45 ).…”

“…At the genus level, the results of the present study are consistent with in vivo studies in animals and human studies that H. erinaceus extracts or daily H. erinaceus supplementation could promote relative abundances of beneficial GM, e.g., Bifidobacterium , Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium , and some SCFA-producing bacteria, and downregulated some pathobionts ( 19 , 20 ). Bifidobacterium is a key symbiotic bacterium that plays a dominant role in human intestines.…”

“…H. erinaceus extracts (containing polysaccharides) could promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and improve the host immunity in vivo in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model ( 19 ). In a pilot study of population surveys, daily H. erinaceus supplementation increased the Alpha diversity within the GM community, upregulated the relative abundance of some SCFA-producing bacteria, and downregulated some pathobionts ( 20 ). The in vitro intestinal fermentation model is a powerful tool for the study of probiotics and prebiotics on GM, which can simulate different segments of the intestine and sample in real time ( 21 ).…”

Gut Microbiota Characterization in Patients with Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: probiotics increased

“…Recent studies have reported that the genus Gemmiger was mentioned in research on the influence of Hericium erinaceus on the intestinal flora. In a study, it was found that this genus was correlated with clinical indicators such as uric acid in patients [ 21 ]. This result is similar to the results of our study, suggesting that Gemmiger is related to uric acid levels.…”

“…Currently, there are many research reports on the genus Clostridium . In China, some researchers have applied Clostridium to carry out animal experiments on hyperuricemia model mice, which proved that this bacteria had a certain improvement effect on uric acid levels [ 21 ]. In combination with the existing studies, we consider the genus Clostridium with great potential to become a new generation of probiotics.…”