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

European Journal of Nutrition volume 51, pages 927–937 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Extracts of the mushroom Agaricus blazei (A. blazei) have been described as possessing immunomodulatory and potentially cancer-protective activities. However, these effects of A. blazei as a functional food have not been fully investigated in vivo.

Methods

Using apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice, an experimental model of atherosclerosis, we evaluated the effects of 6 or 12 weeks of A. blazei supplementation on the activation of immune cells in the spleen and blood and on the development of atherosclerosis.

Results

Food intake, weight gain, blood lipid profile, and glycemia were similar between the groups. To evaluate leukocyte homing and activation, mice were injected with 99mTc-radiolabeled leukocytes, which showed enhanced leukocyte migration to the spleen and heart of A. blazei-supplemented animals. Analysis of the spleen showed higher levels of activation of neutrophils, NKT cells, and monocytes as well as increased production of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Circulating NKT cells and monocytes were also more activated in the supplemented group. Atherosclerotic lesion areas were larger in the aorta of supplemented mice and exhibited increased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils and a thinner fibrous cap. A. blazei-induced transcriptional upregulation of molecules linked to macrophage activation (CD36, TLR4), neutrophil chemotaxy (CXCL1), leukocyte adhesion (VCAM-1), and plaque vulnerability (MMP9) were seen after 12 weeks of supplementation.

Conclusions

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.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by PRPq/UFMG, Pró-reitoria de Pesquisa of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), and CAPES (CAPES—Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível. Superior). The authors are grateful to Maria Helena Alves de Oliveira and Rozeane Martins da Cruz, who were responsible for the animal facility.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil

    Juliana L. Gonçalves, Eric H. Roma, Ana Cristina Gomes-Santos, Edenil C. Aguilar, Luciana R. Fernandes, Angélica T. Vieira, Mauro M. Teixeira & Jacqueline I. Alvarez-Leite

  2. Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil

    Daniel Cisalpino

  3. Department of Basic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30130-100, Brazil

    Dirce R. Oliveira

  4. Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil

    Valbert N. Cardoso

Authors
  1. Juliana L. Gonçalves
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  2. Eric H. Roma
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  3. Ana Cristina Gomes-Santos
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  4. Edenil C. Aguilar
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  7. Angélica T. Vieira
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  10. Mauro M. Teixeira
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  11. Jacqueline I. Alvarez-Leite
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Correspondence to Jacqueline I. Alvarez-Leite.

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Gonçalves, J.L., Roma, E.H., Gomes-Santos, A.C. et al. Pro-inflammatory effects of the mushroom Agaricus blazei and its consequences on atherosclerosis development. Eur J Nutr 51, 927–937 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0270-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0270-8

Keywords

  • A. blazei
  • Diet
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Inflammation
  • ApoE−/− mice