Mushroom consumption and incident risk of prostate cancer in Japan: A pooled analysis of the Miyagi Cohort Study and the Ohsaki Cohort Study

Association Between Consumption of Foods Containing Vitamin D and All-Cause Mortality in Korea

Sufficient vitamin D levels are reported to be a factor in reducing various chronic diseases and resulting mortality rates. Well-dried mushrooms and blue-backed fish are known to be rich in vitamin D. In this study, the association between mortality rates and the intake of vitamin D-rich foods was confirmed using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiological Study (KoGES). Among the KoGES database, we followed up a total of 6844 adults who participated in the Ansung-Ansan cohort study recruited from 2001 to 2002 and continued for an average of 16.7 years until 2018. The main findings were analyzed using Cox regression analysis. During follow-up, 439 cases of all-cause mortality, 149 cases of cancer-related mortality, and 91 cases of cardiovascular mortality were confirmed. In the fully adjusted model, the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality in quartile 3 of mushroom consumption was 0.709 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.525-0.958) compared with quartile 1. In addition, the HRs for cardiovascular mortality in quartile 3 of mushroom consumption were 0.348 (95% CI, 0.154-0.787) compared with those in quartile 1. The HRs of cardiovascular mortality for quartiles 3 and 4 of fish consumption were 0.442 (95% CI, 0.226-0.865) and 0.533 (95% CI, 0.285-0.998), respectively, compared with quartile 1. In conclusion, moderate consumption of mushrooms was related to decreased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, while heightened fish consumption was inversely related to cardiovascular mortality.

Effect of Pleurotus ostreatus Water Extract Consumption on Blood Parameters and Cytokine Values in Healthy Volunteers

OBJECTIVE

Our aim in this study is, does 29-day regular consumption of Pleurotus ostreatus water extract by volunteer individuals who meet the study criteria have an effect on blood and cytokine values?

METHOD

In accordance with the purpose of the study, volunteers were asked to consume 100 ml of the extract every morning for 29 days. Three tubes of blood samples were taken from the volunteers on the 15th and 29th days of the study. Biochemical and hematological analysis of the blood samples were performed and immunomodulatory effects through cytokines were examined. The values obtained from 3 tubes of blood obtained from volunteers before the use of mushroom extract were used as control. The chemical composition and β-glucan content of 100 ml of mushroom water extract were also analyzed.

RESULT

IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 could not be detected because the values were below the lowest standard value. TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1β 15th and 29th day values decreased compared to the 1st day (control) values (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference observed between the 15th and 29th day. No abnormalities were observed in biochemical and hematological values. Also, the β-glucan content of extract was found 38.12 mg/100 ml.

CONCLUSION

The frequency range of kidney and liver function test results confirmed that P. osreatus is a reliable food source. Considering the cytokine values these results indicate that P. ostreatus water extract has an anti-inflammatory effect. As no significant difference was observed in 29 days of use, it is thought that 15 days of daily consumption of the extract may be sufficient for the anti-inflammatory effect to occur. However, a large number of qualified clinical trials are needed to support the issue.

L-Ergothioneine slows the progression of age-related hearing loss in CBA/CaJ mice

The naturally occurring amino acid, l-ergothioneine (EGT), has immense potential as a therapeutic, having shown promise in the treatment of other disease models, including neurological disorders. EGT is naturally uptaken into cells via its specific receptor, OCTN1, to be utilized by cells as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. In our current study, EGT was administered over a period of 6 months to 25-26-month-old CBA/CaJ mice as a possible treatment for age-related hearing loss (ARHL), since presbycusis has been linked to higher levels of cochlear oxidative stress, apoptosis, and chronic inflammation. Results from the current study indicate that EGT can prevent aging declines of some key features of ARHL. However, we found a distinct sex difference for the response to the treatments, for hearing - Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs). Males exhibited lower threshold declines in both low dose (LD) and high dose (HD) test groups throughout the testing period and did not display some of the characteristic aging declines in hearing seen in Control animals. In contrast, female mice did not show any therapeutic effects with either treatment dose. Further confirming this sex difference, EGT levels in whole blood sampling throughout the testing period showed greater uptake of EGT in males compared to females. Additionally, RT-PCR results from three tissue types of the inner ear confirmed EGT activity in the cochlea in both males and females. Males and females exhibited significant differences in biomarkers related to apoptosis (Cas-3), inflammation (TNF-a), oxidative stress (SOD2), and mitochondrial health (PGC1a).These changes were more prominent in males as compared to females, especially in stria vascularis tissue. Taken together, these findings suggest that EGT has the potential to be a naturally derived therapeutic for slowing down the progression of ARHL, and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases. EGT, while effective in the treatment of some features of presbycusis in aging males, could also be modified into a general prophylaxis for other age-related disorders where treatment protocols would include eating a larger proportion of EGT-rich foods or supplements. Lastly, the sex difference discovered here, needs further investigation to see if therapeutic conditions can be developed where aging females show better responsiveness to EGT.

Investigation on the mechanisms by which the herbal remedies induce anti-prostate cancer activity: uncovering the most practical natural compound

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most reported cancers among men worldwide. Targeting the essential proteins associated with PCa could be a promising method for cancer treatment. Traditional and herbal remedies (HRs) are the most practical approaches for PCa treatment. Here, the proteins and enzymes associated with PCa were determined based on the information obtained from the DisGeNET database. The proteins with a gene-disease association (GDA) score greater than 0.7 and the genes that have a disease specificity index (DSI) = 1 were selected as the target proteins. 28 HRs with anti-PCa activity as a traditional treatment for PCa were chosen as potential bioactive compounds. More than 500 compound-protein complexes were screened to find the top-ranked bioactives. The results were further evaluated using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and binding free energy calculations. The outcomes revealed that procyanidin B2 3,3'-di-O-gallate (B2G2), the most active ingredient of grape seed extract (GSE), can act as an agonist for PTEN. PTEN has a key role in suppressing PCa cells by applying phosphatase activity and inhibiting cell proliferation. B2G2 exhibited a considerable binding affinity to PTEN (11.643 kcal/mol). The MD results indicated that B2G2 could stabilize the key residues of the phosphatase domain of PTEN and increase its activity. Based on the obtained results, the active ingredient of GSE, B2G2, could play an agonist role and effectively increase the phosphatase activity of PTEN. The grape seed extract is a useful nutrition that can be used in men's diets to inhibit PCa in their bodies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Seaweed consumption and the risk of prostate cancer: the Miyagi cohort study

Some laboratory studies have shown that fucoidan, which is contained in seaweed extract, has inhibitory effects on the invasion and angiogenesis of tumor cells; however, the association between seaweed consumption and prostate cancer incidence remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between seaweed consumption and the risk of prostate cancer incidence in the Japanese population. Data from 19 311 men in the Miyagi Cohort Study who were 40-64 years old at baseline in 1990 were examined. Seaweed consumption was assessed at baseline using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. The participants were divided into three categories based on seaweed consumption at baseline. During 24.5 years of follow-up, we identified 815 incident cases of prostate cancer. Multivariate analysis showed that seaweed consumption was not associated with prostate cancer incidence. The multivariate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for prostate cancer incidence in the highest tertile versus the other tertiles were 0.76 (0.60-0.96) and 0.78 (0.61-0.99) ( P -trend = 0.15). Furthermore, the null association was independent of whether their clinical stage was localized or advanced. In this population-based prospective cohort study conducted in Japan, we found no significant association between seaweed consumption and the incidence of prostate cancer.

Biosynthesis, Spectrophotometric Follow-Up, Characterization, and Variable Antimicrobial Activities of Ag Nanoparticles Prepared by Edible Macrofungi

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) could play a significant role in the development of commercial antimicrobials. Herein, the biosynthesis of Ag NPs was studied using the edible mushroom Pleurotus floridanus, and following its formation, spectrophotometry was used to detect the best mushroom content, pH, temperature, and silver concentration. After that, the morphology was described via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nanoscale-size particles were found ranging from 11 to 13 nm. The best conditions of Ag content and pH were found at 1.0 mM and 11.0, respectively. In addition, the best mushroom extract concentration was found at 30 g/L. According to XRD analysis, the crystal structure of the formed amorphous Ag NPs is cubic with a space group of fm-3m and a space group number of 225. After that, the function groups at the surface of the prepared Ag NPs were studied via FTIR analysis, which indicated the presence of C=O, C-H, and O-H groups. These groups could indicate the presence of mushroom traces in the Ag NPs, which was confirmed via the amorphous characteristics of Ag NPs from the XRD analysis. The prepared Ag NPs have a high impact against different microorganisms, which could be attributed to the ability of Ag NPs to penetrate the cell bacterial wall.

Anti-Cancer Potential of Edible/Medicinal Mushrooms in Breast Cancer

Edible/medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used in Asian countries either in the cuisine or as dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. In recent decades, they have aroused increasing attention in Europe as well, due to their health and nutritional benefits. In particular, among the different pharmacological activities reported (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, immunomodulating, antidiabetic, etc.), edible/medicinal mushrooms have been shown to exert in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects on several kinds of tumors, including breast cancer. In this article, we reviewed mushrooms showing antineoplastic activity again breast cancer cells, especially focusing on the possible bioactive compounds involved and their mechanisms of action. In particular, the following mushrooms have been considered: Agaricus bisporus, Antrodia cinnamomea, Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Lentinula edodes, and Pleurotus ostreatus. We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.

Dairy consumption and incident risk of thyroid cancer in Japan: a pooled analysis of the Miyagi Cohort Study and the Ohsaki Cohort Study

PURPOSE

The impact of dairy consumption on thyroid cancer is unclear. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association between dairy consumption and the risk of thyroid cancer in Japanese people.

METHODS

The association between dairy consumption and the risk of thyroid cancer in Japanese people was examined by conducting a pooled analysis of two prospective studies of residents in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Data from 64,340 men and women aged 40-79 years registered in the Miyagi Cohort Study in 1990 and in the Ohsaki Cohort Study in 1994 were analyzed. Dairy consumption was assessed at baseline using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire and was divided into quartiles based on the weight (in grams) of total dairy consumption per day.

RESULTS

During 1,075,018 person-years of follow-up, there were 190 incident cases of thyroid cancer (29 men and 161 women). The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for thyroid cancer incidence in the highest quartile of dairy consumption compared with the lowest quartile were 0.83 (95% CIs 0.28-2.43, P-trend = 0.823) for men and 0.67 (95% CIs 0.42-1.06, P-trend = 0.056) for women. After stratification for BMI, a decreased risk was observed in women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (HRs: 0.37, 95% CIs 0.18-0.79, P-trend = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

Dairy consumption is inversely associated with the risk of thyroid cancer in women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2.

Mechanism-Driven and Clinically Focused Development of Botanical Foods as Multitarget Anticancer Medicine: Collective Perspectives and Insights from Preclinical Studies, IND Applications and Early-Phase Clinical Trials

Cancer progression and mortality remain challenging because of current obstacles and limitations in cancer treatment. Continuous efforts are being made to explore complementary and alternative approaches to alleviate the suffering of cancer patients. Epidemiological and nutritional studies have indicated that consuming botanical foods is linked to a lower risk of cancer incidence and/or improved cancer prognosis after diagnosis. From these observations, a variety of preclinical and clinical studies have been carried out to evaluate the potential of botanical food products as anticancer medicines. Unfortunately, many investigations have been poorly designed, and encouraging preclinical results have not been translated into clinical success. Botanical products contain a wide variety of chemicals, making them more difficult to study than traditional drugs. In this review, with the consideration of the regulatory framework of the USFDA, we share our collective experiences and lessons learned from 20 years of defining anticancer foods, focusing on the critical aspects of preclinical studies that are required for an IND application, as well as the checkpoints needed for early-phase clinical trials. We recommend a developmental pipeline that is based on mechanisms and clinical considerations.

Edible Mushrooms as Novel Myco-Therapeutics: Effects on Lipid Level, Obesity and BMI

Obesity, usually indicated by a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2, is a worsening global health issue. It leads to chronic diseases, including type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Conventional treatments for obesity include physical activity and maintaining a negative energy balance. However, physical activity alone cannot determine body weight as several other factors play a role in the overall energy balance. Alternatively, weight loss may be achieved by medication and surgery. However, these options can be expensive or have side effects. Therefore, dietary factors, including dietary modifications, nutraceutical preparations, and functional foods have been investigated recently. For example, edible mushrooms have beneficial effects on human health. Polysaccharides (essentially β-D-glucans), chitinous substances, heteroglycans, proteoglycans, peptidoglycans, alkaloids, lactones, lectins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, terpenes, phenols, nucleotides, glycoproteins, proteins, amino acids, antimicrobials, and minerals are the major bioactive compounds in these mushrooms. These bioactive compounds have chemo-preventive, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Consumption of edible mushrooms reduces plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and plasma glucose levels. Polysaccharides from edible mushrooms suppress mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, contributing to their anti-obesity properties. Therefore, edible mushrooms or their active ingredients may help prevent obesity and other chronic ailments.

Nutraceutical potential of mushroom bioactive metabolites and their food functionality

Numerous mushroom bioactive metabolites, including polysaccharides, eritadenine, lignin, chitosan, mevinolin, and astrakurkurone have been studied in life-threatening conditions and diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular, hypertension, cancer, DNA damage, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity attempting to identify natural therapies. These bioactive metabolites have shown potential as antiviral and immune system strengthener natural agents through diverse cellular and physiological pathways modulation with no toxicity evidence, widely available, and inexpensive. In light of the emerging literature, this paper compiles the most recent information describing the molecular mechanisms that underlie the nutraceutical potentials of these mushroom metabolites suggesting their effectiveness if combined with existing drug therapies while discussing the food functionality of mushrooms. The findings raise hope that these mushroom bioactive metabolites may be utilized as natural therapies considering their therapeutic potential while anticipating further research designing clinical trials and developing new drug therapies while encouraging their consumption as a natural adjuvant in preventing and controlling life-threatening conditions and diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Diabetes, cardiovascular, hypertension, cancer, DNA damage, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity are among the world's largest life-threatening conditions and diseases. Several mushroom bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, eritadenine, lignin, chitosan, mevinolin, and astrakurkurone have been found potential in tackling these diseases through diverse cellular and physiological pathways modulation with no toxicity evidence, suggesting their use as nutraceutical foods in preventing and controlling these life-threatening conditions and diseases.

Long noncoding RNA SNHG4: a novel target in human diseases

Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted great attention from researchers. LncRNAs are non-protein-coding RNAs of more than 200 nucleotides in length. Multiple studies have been published on the relationship between lncRNA expression and the progression of human diseases. LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 4 (SNHG4), a member of the lncRNA SNHG family, is abnormally expressed in a variety of human diseases, including gastric cancer, renal cell carcinoma, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, osteosarcoma, cervical cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, neonatal pneumonia, diabetic retinopathy, neuropathic pain, acute cerebral infarction, acute myeloid leukaemia, and endometriosis. In this paper, the structure of SNHG4 is first introduced, and then studies in humans, animal models and cells are summarized to highlight the expression and function of SNHG4 in the above diseases. In addition, the specific mechanism of SNHG4 as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) is discussed. The findings indicate that SNHG4 can be used as a biomarker for disease prognosis evaluation and as a potential target for disease diagnosis and treatment.

Dairy products and the risk of developing prostate cancer: A large-scale cohort study (JACC Study) in Japan

Dairy products have been indicated as a risk factor for prostate cancer. However, only a few epidemiological studies have reported dairy products as being a risk factor for prostate cancer in Japan, reporting contradictory results. We therefore investigated the association between the intake of dairy products and the occurrence of prostate cancer through a large‐scale cohort study. The Japan Collaborative Cohort study analyzed approximately 110,000 residents from various Japanese districts who participated in our questionnaire survey during 1988–1990. The subjects of the present study were 26,464 men (age range: 40–79 years) from 24 districts wherein cancer incidence was reported. Their clinical course was followed up until 2009. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox's proportional hazards model, adjusted for age, survey area, family history of prostate cancer, body mass index, and total energy intake. For diet, we calculated the HRs associated with intermediate and high consumption of dairy products and compared them with those associated with low consumption. There were 412 cases of prostate cancer in the survey population. As dairy products, milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter were evaluated. Among them, milk consumption was associated with a significant risk (HR = 1.37, p = 0.009) and a dose‐dependent response (p for trend = 0.009) adjusted for age and family history of prostate cancer, stratified by area. Milk and yogurt consumption showed a significantly positive risk and a dose–response relationship adjusted for age, family history of prostate cancer, body mass index, and total energy intake, stratified by area. In summary, a high intake of dairy products such as milk increased the risk of developing prostate cancer in Japanese men.

Edible mushroom consumption and incident hyperuricemia: results from the TCLSIH cohort study

Background: Basic studies have found that xanthine oxidase inhibitors extracted from mushrooms have inhibitory effects on hyperuricemia. However, the association between mushroom consumption and hyperuricemia is unknown in humans. Objective: We therefore designed a large-scale cohort study to examine whether mushroom consumption is a protective factor for developing hyperuricemia in adults. Methods: This prospective cohort study investigated 19 830 participants (mean age: 39.4 years; and 9906 [50.0%] men) who were free of hyperuricemia, cardiovascular disease, and cancer at the baseline. Mushroom consumption was measured at the baseline using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Hyperuricemia is defined as serum uric acid levels >420 μmol L^-1 in men and >350 μmol L^-1 in women. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of mushroom consumption with incident hyperuricemia. Restricted cubic spline regression was used to estimate the dose-response relationship between mushroom consumption and risk of hyperuricemia. Results: A total of 4260 first incident cases of hyperuricemia occurred during 61 421 person-years of follow-up (median follow-up of 4.2 years). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, dietary intake, and inflammatory markers, the multivariable hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident hyperuricemia were 1.00(reference) for <1.76 g per 1000 kcal per day, 0.93(0.86, 1.01) for 1.76-2.84 g per 1000 kcal per day, 0.93(0.85, 1.01) for 2.85-5.52 g per 1000 kcal per day, and 0.88 (0.80, 0.96) for >5.52 g per 1000 kcal per day, respectively (P for trend = 0.007). Conclusions: This population-based prospective cohort study has firstly demonstrated that higher mushroom consumption is significantly associated with lower incidence of hyperuricemia among general adults.

A novel antioxidant ergothioneine PET radioligand for in vivo imaging applications

Ergothioneine (ERGO) is a rare amino acid mostly found in fungi, including mushrooms, with recognized antioxidant activity to protect tissues from damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) components. Prior to this publication, the biodistribution of ERGO has been performed solely in vitro using extracted tissues. The aim of this study was to develop a feasible chemistry for the synthesis of an ERGO PET radioligand, [¹¹C]ERGO, to facilitate in vivo study. The radioligand probe was synthesized with identical structure to ERGO by employing an orthogonal protection/deprotection approach. [¹¹C]methylation of the precursor was performed via [¹¹C]CH₃OTf to provide [¹¹C]ERGO radioligand. The [¹¹C]ERGO was isolated by RP-HPLC with a molar activity of 690 TBq/mmol. To demonstrate the biodistribution of the radioligand, we administered approximately 37 MBq/0.1 mL in 5XFAD mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease via the tail vein. The distribution of ERGO in the brain was monitored using 90-min dynamic PET scans. The delivery and specific retention of [¹¹C]ERGO in an LPS-mediated neuroinflammation mouse model was also demonstrated. For the pharmacokinetic study, the concentration of the compound in the serum started to decrease 10 min after injection while starting to distribute in other peripheral tissues. In particular, a significant amount of the compound was found in the eyes and small intestine. The radioligand was also distributed in several regions of the brain of 5XFAD mice, and the signal remained strong 30 min post-injection. This is the first time the biodistribution of this antioxidant and rare amino acid has been demonstrated in a preclinical mouse model in a highly sensitive and non-invasive manner.

White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Interrupts Tissue AR-TMPRSS2 Expression and Attenuates Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in C57BL/6 Mice: Implication for COVID-19 Dietary Intervention

Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), an androgen-induced protease associated with prostate cancer, is one putative receptor for coronavirus entry into host cells, where triggering aggressive inflammatory cytokine storm and possibly death in COVID-19 patients. We previously reported that dietary white button mushroom (WBM) antagonized dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced androgen receptor (AR) activation and reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in prostate cancer animal models and patients. The present study on C57BL/6 mice revealed that WBM is a unique food that A ) interrupts DHT induced AR-TMPRSS2 expression in putative COVID-19 targeted organs through its AR antagonistic activity and B ) attenuates serum pro-inflammatory cytokines which have been implicated in COVID-19 pathogenesis. We hereby propose WBM intake as a potentially low-cost, efficient, and safe dietary intervention to mitigate COVID-19.

Higher Mushroom Consumption Is Associated with Lower Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds. The potential health benefits associated with mushroom intake have gained recent research attention. We thus conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between mushroom intake and risk of cancer at any site. We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies on mushroom intake and cancer published from 1 January, 1966, up to 31 October, 2020. Observational studies (n = 17) with RRs, HRs, or ORs and 95% CIs of cancer risk for ≥2 categories of mushroom intake were eligible for the present study. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted. Higher mushroom consumption was associated with lower risk of total cancer (pooled RR for the highest compared with the lowest consumption groups: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.78; n = 17). Higher mushroom consumption was also associated with lower risk of breast cancer (pooled RR for the highest compared with the lowest consumption groups: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.81; n = 10) and nonbreast cancer (pooled RR for the highest compared with the lowest consumption groups: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.97; n = 13). When site-specific cancers were examined, a significant association with mushroom consumption was only observed with breast cancer; this could be due to the small number of studies that were conducted with other cancers. There was evidence of a significant nonlinear dose-response association between mushroom consumption and the risk of total cancer (P-nonlinearity = 0.001; n = 7). Limitations included the potential for recall and selection bias in case-control designs, which comprised 11 out of the 17 studies included in this meta-analysis, and the large variation in the adjustment factors used in the final models from each study. The association between higher mushroom consumption and lower risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer, may indicate a potential protective role for mushrooms in the diet.

Ergothioneine, recent developments

There has been a recent surge of interest in the unique low molecular weight dietary thiol/thione, ergothioneine. This compound can accumulate at high levels in the body from diet and may play important physiological roles in human health and development, and possibly in prevention and treatment of disease. Blood levels of ergothioneine decline with age and onset of various diseases. Here we highlight recent advances in our knowledge of ergothioneine.

White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) disrupts androgen receptor signaling in human prostate cancer cells and patient-derived xenograft

White button mushroom (WBM) (Agaricus bisporus) is a potential prostate cancer (PCa) chemo-preventative and therapeutic agent. Our clinical phase І trial of WBM powder in patients with biochemically recurrent PCa indicated that WBM intake reduced the circulating levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We hypothesized that WBM exerts its effects on PCa through the androgen receptor (AR) signaling axis. Therefore, we conducted a reverse translational study with androgen-dependent PCa cell lines (LNCaP and VCaP) and patient-derived-xenografts (PDX) from a prostate tumor (TM00298). In both LNCaP and VCaP cells, western blots and qRT-PCR assays indicated that WBM extract (6-30 mg/mL) suppressed DHT-induced PSA expression and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence analysis of AR revealed that WBM extract interrupted the AR nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution. PSA promotor-luciferase assay suggested that WBM extract inhibited DHT-induced luciferase activity. RNA-Seq on WBM-treated LNCaP cells confirmed that WBM treatment suppressed the androgen response pathways and cell-cycle control pathways. Our PDX showed that oral intake of WBM extract (200 mg/kg/d) suppressed tumor growth and decreased PSA levels in both tumors and serum. In the present study, we also identified a conjugated linoleic acid isomer (CLA-9Z11E) as a strong AR antagonist by performing LanthaScreen TR-FRET AR Coactivator Interaction Assays. The inhibitory effect of CLA-9Z11E (IC50: 350 nM) was nearly two times stronger than the known AR antagonist, cyproterone acetate (IC50: 672 nM). The information gained from this study improves the overall understanding of how WBM may contribute to the prevention and treatment of PCa.

Is ergothioneine a 'longevity vitamin' limited in the American diet?

There is mounting evidence for the potential for the natural dietary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory amino acid l-Ergothioneine (ERGO) to prevent or mitigate chronic diseases of aging. This has led to the suggestion that it could be considered a 'longevity vitamin.' ERGO is produced in nature only by certain fungi and a few other microbes. Mushrooms are, by far, the leading dietary source of ERGO, but it is found in small amounts throughout the food chain, most likely due to soil-borne fungi passing it on to plants. Because some common agricultural practices can disrupt beneficial fungus-plant root relationships, ERGO levels in foods grown under those conditions could be compromised. Thus, research is needed to further analyse the role agricultural practices play in the availability of ERGO in the human diet and its potential to improve our long-term health.

Guirlanda C, A. F. Moura M. Use of the Versatility of Fungal Metabolism to Meet Modern Demands for Healthy Aging, Functional Foods, and Sustainability

Aging-associated, non-transmissible chronic diseases (NTCD) such as cancer, dyslipidemia, and neurodegenerative disorders have been challenged through several strategies including the consumption of healthy foods and the development of new drugs for existing diseases. Consumer health consciousness is guiding market trends toward the development of additives and nutraceutical products of natural origin. Fungi produce several metabolites with bioactivity against NTCD as well as pigments, dyes, antioxidants, polysaccharides, and enzymes that can be explored as substitutes for synthetic food additives. Research in this area has increased the yields of metabolites for industrial applications through improving fermentation conditions, application of metabolic engineering techniques, and fungal genetic manipulation. Several modern hyphenated techniques have impressively increased the rate of research in this area, enabling the analysis of a large number of species and fermentative conditions. This review thus focuses on summarizing the nutritional, pharmacological, and economic importance of fungi and their metabolites resulting from applications in the aforementioned areas, examples of modern techniques for optimizing the production of fungi and their metabolites, and methodologies for the identification and analysis of these compounds.