아가리쿠스 버섯

Agaricus blazei Murill enhances doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by NFκB-mediated increase of intracellular doxorubicin accumulation.

1. Int J Oncol. 2011 Feb;38(2):401-8. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2010.852. Epub 2010 Dec 3. Agaricus blazei Murill enhances doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by NFκB-mediated increase of intracellular doxorubicin accumulation. Lee JS(1), Hong EK. Author information: (1

Inhibitory action of a (1-->6)-beta-D-glucan-protein complex (F III-2-b) isolated from Agaricus blazei Murill ("himematsutake") on Meth A fibrosarcoma-bearing mice and its antitumor mechanism.

2. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1994 Oct;66(2):265-71. doi: 10.1254/jjp.66.265. Inhibitory action of a (1-->6)-beta-D-glucan-protein complex (F III-2-b) isolated from Agaricus blazei Murill ("himematsutake") on Meth A fibrosarcoma-bearing mice and its antitumor mechanism. Itoh H(1), Ito H, Amano H, Noda H.

Mushroom extracts and compounds with suppressive action on breast cancer: evidence from studies using cultured cancer cells, tumor-bearing animals, and clinical trials.

3. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2020 Jun;104(11):4675-4703. doi: 10.1007/s00253-020-10476-4. Epub 2020 Apr 9. Mushroom extracts and compounds with suppressive action on breast cancer: evidence from studies using cultured cancer cells, tumor-bearing animals, and clinical trials. Wong JH(1), Ng TB(

Effect of the Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSanTM, on Symptoms, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Crohn's Disease in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo Controlled Study.

1. PLoS One. 2016 Jul 14;11(7):e0159288. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159288. eCollection 2016. Effect of the Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSanTM, on Symptoms, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Crohn's Disease in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo Controlled Study. Therkelsen SP(1), Hetland G(2), Lyberg T(3), Lygren I(4), Johnson E(1)(5). Author information: (1)Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway. (2)Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway. (3)Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway. (4)Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway. (5)Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. BACKGROUND: Ingestion of AndoSanTM, based on the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill, has previously shown an anti-inflammatory effect through reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in healthy individuals and patients with Crohn's disease (CD). In this randomized single-blinded placebo-controlled study we examined whether intake of AndoSanTM also resulted in clinical effects. METHODS AND FINDINGS: 50 patients with symptomatic CD were randomized for oral daily consumption of AndoSanTM or placebo for a 21-day experimental period, in this per-protocol study. Patients reported validated scores for symptoms, fatigue and health related quality of life (HRQoL) at days 0, 14 and 21. Fecal calprotectin and general blood parameters were also analyzed. In the AndoSanTM group (n = 25) symptoms improved from baseline (day 0) to days 14 and 21, with respective mean scores (95% CI) of 5.52 (4.64-6.40), 4.48 (3.69-5.27) and 4.08 (3.22-4.94) (p<0,001). We found significant improvements in symptom score for both genders in the AndoSanTM group, and no significant changes in the placebo (n = 25) group. There were however no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.106), although a marginal effect in symptom score for men (p = 0.054). There were comparable improvements in physical, mental and total fatigue for both groups. HRQoL versus baseline were at day 21 improved for bodily pain and vitality in the AndoSanTM group and for vitality and social functioning in the placebo group. No crucial changes in general blood samples and fecal calprotectin were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this single-blinded randomized clinical trial shows significant improvement on symptoms, for both genders, in the AndoSanTM group, but no significant differences between the study groups. The results on fatigue, HRQoL, fecal calprotectin and blood samples were quite similar compared with placebo. The patients did not report any harms or unintended effects of AndoSanTM. CD patients with mild to moderate symptoms may have beneficiary effects of AndoSanTM as a safe supplement in addition to conventional medication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01496053. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159288 PMCID: PMC4944955 PMID: 27415795 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing Interests: Two of the authors (Geir Hetland and Egil Johnson) have patent/patent applications and financial interests relating to material (AndoSan™) pertinent to this article: i) WO2005065063 A2, Appl. No.:10/585600, NO- and PCT-filed Jan 2004 and Jan 2005, respectively, by Inventor Hetland Geir, and ii) NO20090003383, Appl. No.: NO20090003383 20091119, by Inventors Hetland Geir and Johnson Egil and filed by Applicant Immunopharma AS in Nov 2009 and financial interest of Geir Hetland as shareholder in Immunopharma AS of Norway, commercializing AndoSan™. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. WO2005065063 – “Use of the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill for the production of medicaments suitable for treating infections and allergies”.

Effect of a Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSan™, on Symptoms, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo Controlled Study.

2. PLoS One. 2016 Mar 2;11(3):e0150191. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150191. eCollection 2016. Effect of a Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSan™, on Symptoms, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo Controlled Study. Therkelsen SP(1), Hetland G(2)(3), Lyberg T(4), Lygren I(5), Johnson E(1)(3). Author information: (1)Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. (2)Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. (3)Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. (4)Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. (5)Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. BACKGROUND: Ingestion of AndoSan™, based on the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill, has previously been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects because of reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in healthy individuals and patients with ulcerative colitis. In this randomized single-blinded placebo controlled study we examined whether intake of AndoSan™ also resulted in clinical effects. METHODS AND FINDINGS: 50 patients with symptomatic ulcerative colitis were block-randomized and blinded for oral daily intake of AndoSan™ or placebo for the 21 days' experimental period. The patients reported scores for symptoms, fatigue and health related quality of life (HRQoL) at days 0, 14 and 21. Fecal calprotectin and general blood parameters were also analyzed. In the AndoSan™ group (n = 24) symptoms improved from baseline (day 0) to days 14 and 21, with respective mean scores (95% CI) of 5.88 (4.92-6.83), 4.71 (3.90-5.52) (p = 0.002) and 4.50 (3.70-5.30) (p = 0.001). Corresponding improved mean scores (±SD) for total fatigue were 16.6 (5.59), 14.1 (4.50) (p = 0.001) and 15.1 (4.09) (p = 0.023). These scores in the placebo group (n = 26) were not improved. When comparing the two study groups using mixed model statistics, we found significant better scores for the AndoSan™-patients. HRQoL for dimensions bodily pain, vitality, social functioning and mental health improved in the AndoSan™ group. There were no alterations in general blood samples and fecal calprotectin. CONCLUSIONS: Beneficiary effects on symptoms, fatigue and HRQoL from AndoSan™ consumption were demonstrated in this per-protocol study, supporting its use as a supplement to conventional medication for patients with mild to moderate symptoms from ulcerative colitis. The patients did not report any harms or unintended effects of AndoSan™ in this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01496053. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150191 PMCID: PMC4774976 PMID: 26933886 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Competing Interests: Two of the authors (GH and EJ) have patent/patent applications and financial interests relating to material (AndoSan™) pertinent to this article: i) WO2005065063 A2, Appl. No.:10/585600, NO- and PCT-filed Jan 2004 and Jan 2005, respectively, by Inventor Hetland Geir, and ii) NO20090003383, Appl. No.: NO20090003383 20091119, by Inventors Hetland Geir and Johnson Egil and filed by Applicant Immunopharma AS in Nov 2009 and financial interest of Geir Hetland as shareholder in Immunopharma AS of Norway, commercializing AndoSan™. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Quality of life improvements among cancer patients in remission following the consumption of Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom extract.

3. Complement Ther Med. 2013 Oct;21(5):460-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.07.001. Epub 2013 Aug 12. Quality of life improvements among cancer patients in remission following the consumption of Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom extract. Ohno S(1), Sumiyoshi Y, Hashine K, Shirato A, Kyo S, Inoue M. Author information: (1)Consolidated Research Institute for Advanced Science and Medical Care, Waseda University, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Japan; Department of Clinical Research Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address: satoshi.ohno55@gmail.com. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this preliminary clinical study was to assess if the daily intake of Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) granulated powder (SSI Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) for 6 months improved the quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients in remission. DESIGN: Open study. SETTING: Subjects diurnally took 1 (1.8 g; N=23), 2 (3.6 g; N=22), or 3 (5.4 g; N=22) packs/day orally for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The SF-8 Health Survey questionnaire was used to evaluate the QOL. The differences between the SF-8 baseline scores at the time of entry and 6-months after ABM treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed a significant improvement in QOL in both physical and mental components. More specifically, QOL effects of ABM in different genders showed males improved physical components, while females improved only mental components. QOL effects in the different age groups showed that ages 65 and under improved mental components, while ages 66 and older improved physical components. Furthermore, with respect to optimal dose effects of ABM with respect to QOL improvement, two packs per day for 6 months showed improvements in both physical and mental components. CONCLUSION: This preliminary longitudinal clinical study demonstrated that daily intake of ABM appears to improve both physical and mental components based on SF-8 qualimetric analysis. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.07.001 PMID: 24050580 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

The mushroom Agaricus Blazei Murill in combination with metformin and gliclazide improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

4. J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Jan-Feb;13(1):97-102. doi: 10.1089/acm.2006.6054. The mushroom Agaricus Blazei Murill in combination with metformin and gliclazide improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Hsu CH(1), Liao YL, Lin SC, Hwang KC, Chou P. Author information: (1)Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei Hospital, Taiwan. BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine use in adults with type 2 diabetes is popular. Although most of the herbs and supplements appear to be safe, there is still insufficient evidence that demonstrates their definitive beneficial effects. This study was done to determine whether the supplement of Agaricus blazei Murill extract improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a clinical randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Of a population of 536 registered diabetes patients with 72 subjects (1) aged between 20 and 75 years, (2) being Chinese, (3) having type 2 diabetes for more than 1 year, and (4) having been taking gliclazide and metformin for more than 6 months were enrolled in this study. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to either receiving supplement of Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) extract or placebo (cellulose) 1500 mg daily for 12 weeks. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used as the major outcome measurement. RESULTS: At the end of the study, subjects who received supplement of ABM extract (n = 29) showed significantly lower HOMA-IR index (3.6[standard deviation, 2.5] versus 6.6[standard deviation, 7.4], p = 0.04) than the control group (n = 31). The plasma adiponectin concentration increased 20.0(standard deviation, 40.7)% in the ABM group after 12 weeks of treatment, but decreased 12.0(20.0)% among those taking the placebo (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Supplement of ABM extract improves insulin resistance among subjects with type 2 diabetes. The increase in adiponectin concentration after taking AMB extract for 12 weeks might be the mechanism that brings the beneficial effect. Studies with longer periods of follow-up should be conducted in the future. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2006.6054 PMID: 17309383 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Effect of supplementation of Agaricus mushroom meal extracts on enzyme activities in peripheral leukocytes of calves.

5. Res Vet Sci. 2007 Feb;82(1):7-10. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.02.003. Epub 2006 Apr 18. Effect of supplementation of Agaricus mushroom meal extracts on enzyme activities in peripheral leukocytes of calves. Kimura N(1), Fujino E, Urabe S, Mizutani H, Sako T, Imai S, Toyoda Y, Arai T. Author information: (1)Division of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Science, Nippon Veterinary and Animals Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan. knob3@nvau.ac.jp To investigate the effect of Agaricus mushroom meal on the energy metabolism in animal tissues; plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) concentrations and activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism in plasma and peripheral leukocytes were measured in Japanese Black WagyuxHolstein F1 calves supplemented with Agaricus blazei Murill (A. blazei) extract in milk-replacer at the dose of 60g/head/day for 4 weeks. Activities of malate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase in cytosol and glutamate dehydrogenase in mitochondria, and the malate dehydrogenase/lactate dehydrogenase ratio in cytosol in peripheral leukocytes of calves with A. blazei were significantly higher than those in control calves without A. blazei. It was concluded that supplementation of Agaricus mushroom meal extract was effective in activation of enzymes related to energy metabolism in peripheral leukocytes of calves. DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.02.003 PMID: 16624357 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Agaricus blazei-Based Mushroom Extract Supplementation to Birch Allergic Blood Donors: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

6. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 2;11(10):2339. doi: 10.3390/nu11102339. Agaricus blazei-Based Mushroom Extract Supplementation to Birch Allergic Blood Donors: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Mahmood F(1)(2), Hetland G(3)(4), Nentwich I(5), Mirlashari MR(6), Ghiasvand R(7), Nissen-Meyer LSH(8). Author information: (1)Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. faiza.mahmood@ahus.no. (2)Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway. faiza.mahmood@ahus.no. (3)Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. geir.hetland@medisin.uio.no. (4)Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway. geir.hetland@medisin.uio.no. (5)Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. ivo.nentwich@ous-hf.no. (6)Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. uxmoir@ous-hf.no. (7)Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway. reza.ghisvand@medisin.uio.no. (8)Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. lise.sofie.haug.nissen-meyer@ous-hf.no. Since Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) extract reduced specific IgE and ameliorated a skewed Th1/Th2 balance in a mouse allergy model, it was tested in blood donors with self-reported, IgE-positive, birch pollen allergy and/or asthma. Sixty recruited donors were randomized in a placebo-controlled, double-blinded study with pre-seasonal, 7-week, oral supplementation with the AbM-based extract AndosanTM. Before and after the pollen season, questionnaires were answered for allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma, and medication; serum IgE was measured, and Bet v 1-induced basophil activation was determined by CD63 expression. The reported general allergy and asthma symptoms and medication were significantly reduced in the AbM compared to the placebo group during pollen season. During the season, there was significant reduction in specific IgE anti-Bet v 1 and anti-t3 (birch pollen extract) levels in the AbM compared with the placebo group. While the maximal allergen concentrations needed for eliciting basophil activation before the season, changed significantly in the placebo group to lower concentrations (i.e., enhanced sensitization) after the season, these concentrations remained similar in the AndosanTM AbM extract group. Hence, the prophylactic effect of oral supplementation before the season with the AbM-based AndosanTM extract on aeroallergen-induced allergy was associated with reduced specific IgE levels during the season and basophils becoming less sensitive to allergen activation. DOI: 10.3390/nu11102339 PMCID: PMC6836217 PMID: 31581605 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Conflict of interest statement: Geir Hetland is a cofounder and shareholder of Immunopharma, Oslo, Norway. The other authors declare no commercial or financial conflict of interest. Immunopharma had no other role than providing AndosanTM free of charge for the study.

Cytokine Levels After Consumption of a Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSan(™) , in Patients with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Study.

7. Scand J Immunol. 2016 Dec;84(6):323-331. doi: 10.1111/sji.12476. Cytokine Levels After Consumption of a Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSan(™) , in Patients with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Study. Therkelsen SP(1), Hetland G(2)(3), Lyberg T(4), Lygren I(5), Johnson E(1)(3). Author information: (1)Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. (2)Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. (3)Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. (4)Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. (5)Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway. Ingestion of the Agaricus blazei Murill-based mushroom extract AndoSan™ has been shown in randomized placebo-controlled studies to improve symptoms in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and also fatigue and quality of life in the latter patients. The aim was to examine whether this clinical impact of AndoSan™ intake could be explained by influence on foremost pro-inflammatory cytokines in the patients. Fifty patients with symptomatic UC and CD were randomized and blinded for oral daily intake of AndoSan™ or placebo. Blood samples taken before (visit 1) and after 21 days' (visit 3) consumption were analysed for cytokines IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4-8, IL-10, IL-12-13, IL-17, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, MCP-1, MIP-1ß and TNF-α. Baseline cytokine levels were similar in CD and UC. In CD, cytokine levels at visit 1 versus visit 3 were unaltered within the AndoSan™ and the placebo groups. Only IL-2 was significantly reduced at visit 3 in the Andosan™ compared with the placebo group. However, when combining IL-1ß, IL-6 and G-CSF in the patients with CD, the cytokine levels were significantly lower in the AndoSanTM - versus the placebo group, visit 3. In UC, levels of IL-2, IL-5 and MIP-1ß were reduced within the AndoSan™ group. IL-5 was also reduced at visit 3 compared with placebo. Generally, the effect on reduction in systemic cytokine levels by consumption of AndoSan™ was limited and supported only marginally anti-inflammatory effects in these patients. Therefore, other explanations behind the clinical anti-inflammatory effects than the contribution of cytokines seem more pertinent, including anti-allergic and antioxidant activities. © 2016 The Foundation for the Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. DOI: 10.1111/sji.12476 PMID: 27588816 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Immunomodulatory effects of the Agaricus blazei Murrill-based mushroom extract AndoSan in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation: a randomized, double blinded clinical study.

8. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:718539. doi: 10.1155/2015/718539. Epub 2015 Jan 18. Immunomodulatory effects of the Agaricus blazei Murrill-based mushroom extract AndoSan in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation: a randomized, double blinded clinical study. Tangen JM(1), Tierens A(2), Caers J(3), Binsfeld M(3), Olstad OK(4), Trøseid AM(4), Wang J(5), Tjønnfjord GE(1), Hetland G(6). Author information: (1)Deparment of Haematology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway ; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway. (2)Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway ; Laboratory Medicine Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 2C4. (3)Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA-Research, University of Liege, 4000 Sart Tilman, Belgium. (4)Department Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway. (5)Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway. (6)Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway ; Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway. Forty patients with multiple myeloma scheduled to undergo high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support were randomized in a double blinded fashion to receive adjuvant treatment with the mushroom extract AndoSan, containing 82% of Agaricus blazei Murrill (19 patients) or placebo (21 patients). Intake of the study product started on the day of stem cell mobilizing chemotherapy and continued until the end of aplasia after high dose chemotherapy, a period of about seven weeks. Thirty-three patients were evaluable for all study endpoints, while all 40 included patients were evaluable for survival endpoints. In the leukapheresis product harvested after stem cell mobilisation, increased percentages of Treg cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells were found in patients receiving AndoSan. Also, in this group, a significant increase of serum levels of IL-1ra, IL-5, and IL-7 at the end of treatment was found. Whole genome microarray showed increased expression of immunoglobulin genes, Killer Immunoglobulin Receptor (KIR) genes, and HLA genes in the Agaricus group. Furthermore, AndoSan displayed a concentration dependent antiproliferative effect on mouse myeloma cells in vitro. There were no statistically significant differences in treatment response, overall survival, and time to new treatment. The study was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00970021. DOI: 10.1155/2015/718539 PMCID: PMC4312620 PMID: 25664323 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Agaricus blazei Murrill and inflammatory mediators in elderly women: a randomized clinical trial.

9. Scand J Immunol. 2012 Mar;75(3):336-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2011.02656.x. Agaricus blazei Murrill and inflammatory mediators in elderly women: a randomized clinical trial. Lima CU(1), Souza VC, Morita MC, Chiarello MD, Karnikowski MG. Author information: (1)Department of Nutrition, Euro American Institute of Education, Science and Technology, Brasilia, Brazil. There is scientific evidence to suggest that the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill (AbM) has immunomodulatory effects on cytokine synthesis, both in vitro and in vivo. This study was the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to investigate these purported actions in elderly women. The objective of this study was to ascertain the effects of AbM intake on serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in community-living seniors. The sample consisted of 57 elderly females who were carriers or homozygous for the majority allele of functional polymorphisms for the chosen cytokines. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive placebo (n = 29) or AbM dry extract (n = 28), 900 mg/day for 60 days. Body mass index, abdominal girth, body composition, blood pressure and cytokine (IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) levels were measured, and food intake was assessed as a possible confounder. Analysis of these parameters showed the sample was characterized by overweight and excess adiposity. After the study period, no changes from baseline were detectable for any parameter in either group. In this study, AbM extract had no modulating effect on IL-6, IFN-γ or TNF-α levels in elderly females. © 2011 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2011.02656.x PMID: 22010847 [Indexed for MEDLINE]