Premium
The effects of whole mushrooms during inflammation
Author(s) -
Martin Keith R,
Yu Sanhong,
Weaver Veronika,
Cantorna Margherita
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.lb522
Subject(s) - immune system , in vivo , mushroom , ex vivo , edible mushroom , tumor necrosis factor alpha , immunity , ovalbumin , ingestion , cytokine , macrophage , in vitro , chemistry , immunology , biology , pharmacology , food science , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
Consumption of edible mushrooms has been suggested to improve health. A number of isolated mushroom constituents can also modulate immunity. Five commonly consumed edible mushrooms were tested to determine whether they stimulate the immune system in vitro and in vivo . White button (WB) extracts readily stimulated macrophage production of TNF‐α. Crimini, maitake, oyster and shiitake extracts also stimulated TNF‐α production but the levels were lower than WB. Primary cultures of murine macrophage and ovalbumin (OVA) specific T cells showed that whole mushroom extracts alone did not affect cytokine production but co‐stimulation with either lipopolysacharide or OVA (respectively) induced TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, and IL‐1β while decreasing IL‐10. WB‐fed mice (2%; 4 weeks) showed no effect on ex vivo immune responsiveness or associated toxicity (pathology of liver, kidney and gastrointestinal tract). Mice fed 1% WB and stimulated with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) were protected from DSS‐induced weight loss. In addition, 2% WB feeding protected mice from transient DSS‐ induced colonic injury. The TNF‐α response in the colon and serum of the DSS challenged and 2% WB fed mice was higher than controls. Data support a model whereby edible mushrooms regulate immunity in vitro . I n vivo effects of edible mushrooms required a DSS challenge to detect TNF‐α changes and transient protection from colonic injury. There were modest effects of in vivo consumption of edible mushrooms on induced inflammatory responses. The result is not surprising since it certainly would be harmful to strongly induce or suppress immune function following ingestion of a commonly consumed food.