per Julien
Int J Med Sci. 2010 Jun 7;7(4):169-80.
Maitake mushroom extracts ameliorate progressive hypertension and
other chronic metabolic perturbations in aging female rats.
Preuss HG, Echard B, Bagchi D, Perricone NV.
Georgetown University Medical Center, Department of Physiology,
Washington, DC 20057, USA. preusshg@@@georgetown.edu
OBJECTIVE: We assessed the ability of two commercially-available
fractions labeled SX and D derived from the edible maitake mushroom to
overcome many age-associated metabolic perturbations such as
progressive, age-related elevation of blood pressure, over activity of
the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), decreased insulin sensitivity, and
inflammation in an in vivo laboratory model. DESIGN AND METHOD: We
divided forty mature, female Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) into five groups
of eight. SD ingested regular rat chow containing added sucrose (20% w/
w). The groups received baseline diet alone (control) or baseline diet
containing captopril, niacin-bound chromium, maitake fraction SX, or
maitake fraction D. In addition to blood pressure readings, the
following procedures were implemented: losartan and insulin
challenges, evaluation of serum ACE activity, glucose tolerance
testing, blood chemistries, LNAME challenge, and measurement of
various circulating cytokines. RESULTS: We found that implementation
of all test conditions stopped the gradual elevation of systolic blood
pressure (SBP) in the SD over the four months of study, even reversing
some of the previous elevation that occurred over time. In general,
the treatment groups showed decreased activity of the RAS estimated by
less lowering of SBP after losartan challenge and decreased serum ACE
activity and were more sensitive to exogenous insulin challenge. TNFa
levels decreased in all four test groups suggesting a lessening of the
inflammatory state. CONCLUSIONS: We believe our data suggest that
maitake mushroom fractions lessen age-related hypertension, at least
in part, via effects on the RAS; enhance insulin sensitivity; and
reduce some aspects of inflammation--actions that should lead to a
longer, healthier life span.
PMID: 20567593 [PubMed - in process]
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