Polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei stimulate lymphocyte T-cell subsets in mice.

Abstract

Subset analysis of splenic lymphocytes using flow cytometry showed that the percentages of Thy1.2-(pan T-cells), L3T4-(CD4, helper T-cells), and Lyt2-(CD8, cytotoxic T-cells) positive cell populations were significantly increased in mice orally administered a hot water-soluble fraction from Agaricus blazei as compared with mice treated only with saline. 13C-NMR data indicates that the main component in the active polysaccharide is the complex of alpha-1,6- and alpha-1,4-glucan, which had already been shown to have anti-tumor activity against Sarcoma 180. It seems that the polysaccharide from Agaricus blazei may be an effective prophylactic, protecting humans against cancer by stimulating lymphocytes such as cytotoxic T-cells.

• Authors: M Mizuno, M Morimoto, K Minato, H Tsuchida
• Journal: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (Biosci Biotechnol Biochem) Vol. 62 Issue 3 Pg. 434-7 (Mar 1998) ISSN: 0916-8451 [Print] England
• PMID: 9571772 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Carbon Isotopes
• Polysaccharides

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (pharmacology)
• Agaricus (metabolism)
• Animals
• Carbon Isotopes
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Lymphocyte Activation (drug effects)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C3H
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
• Polysaccharides (pharmacology)
• Spleen (cytology)
• Stimulation, Chemical
• T-Lymphocyte Subsets (drug effects)
• T-Lymphocytes (drug effects, immunology)