Pro-inflammatory effects of the mushroom Agaricus blazei and its consequences on atherosclerosis development

Abstract

This is the first in vivo study showing that the immunostimulatory effect of A. blazei has proatherogenic repercussions. A. blazei enhances local and systemic inflammation, upregulating pro-inflammatory molecules, and enhancing leukocyte homing to atherosclerosis sites without affecting the lipoprotein profile.

Andosan?-An Anti-Allergic and Anti-Inflammatory Ingredient Prepared from Agaricus blazei Mushroom

“…On the other hand, it disagrees with reports on proatherogenic and proinflammatory effects of AbM in a mouse model for atherosclerosis [73] and a clinical randomized trial that found no immunomodulatory effect in elderly women who received dried AbM extract [74]. However, most of the literature supports the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic findings done with the AbM-based Andosan ingredient.…”

Evaluation of adjuvant activity of fractions derived from Agaricus blazei, when in association with the recombinant LiHyp1 protein, to protect against visceral leishmaniasis

“…Such receptors are used by APCs to detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), called pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) (O'Hagan and de Gregorio, 2009). Likewise, a previous study showed that fruiting bodies of Agaricus blazei present immune stimulatory activity in mice by activating CD4 + T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and phagocytes, as well as by increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, using these receptors (Gonçalves et al, 2012). The authors observed that spleen cells of animals exhibited a higher radioactivity of 99m Tecnecium-labeled leukocytes, which was associated with Fig.…”

“…In addition, the frequency of activated monocytes and neutrophils was increased in the blood of the Agaricus blazei-treated animals (Gonçalves et al, 2012).…”

“…Compounds, such as β-glucans, tannins, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides were characterized in this mushroom, which may well be responsible for the immunological activity of the fungus (Bernardshaw et al, 2005;Gonçalves et al, 2012;Valadares et al, 2012a). Taking this into account, in the present study, six polysaccharide-rich fractions were purified from Agaricus blazei, and evaluated in in vitro experiments as inducers of the Th1 immune response.…”

Amelioration of Atherosclerosis by the New Medicinal Mushroom Grifola gargal Singer

“…Some edible mushrooms have been shown to inhibit the atherosclerotic process, while others have been found to worsen the disease. [21][22][23] The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of Grifola gargal on atherosclerosis using a mouse model of the disease.…”