Estrogen-like activity and dual roles in cell signaling of an Agaricus blazei Murrill mycelia-dikaryon extract.
Agaricus blazei (A. blazei) Murrill mycelia-dikaryon has attracted the attention of scientists and clinicians worldwide owing to its potential for the treatment of cancer. However, little is known about its effect on other pathologies. This study sought to extend the potential medical usefulness of A. blazei for preventing vascular damage and to unravel its mechanism of action. The A. blazei extract showed estrogen-like activity in both gene expression profiling and a luciferase assay. Indeed, the extract inhibited oxidized low-density lipoprotein-stimulated activation of Erk1/2, Akt and p38 in HUVECs and macrophage-derived TIB-67 cells. Moreover, the extract enhanced transcription of the glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), α-synuclein (SNCA) and endothelial nitrogen-oxide synthase (eNOS) genes. Furthermore, atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits were reduced by intake of A. blazei powder. Therefore, A. blazei may be useful for preventing atherosclerosis via dual roles in cell signaling, suppression of macrophage development and the recovery of endothelial cells from vascular damage.
International Research and Educational Institute for Integrated Medical Sciences (IREIIMS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
Sijun
S
Dong
Yoshiyuki
Y
Furutani
Yumiko
Y
Suto
Michiko
M
Furutani
Yun
Y
Zhu
Makoto
M
Yoneyama
Taichi
T
Kato
Hiroyuki
H
Itabe
Toshio
T
Nishikawa
Hirofumi
H
Tomimatsu
Takeshi
T
Tanaka
Hiroshi
H
Kasanuki
Tomoh
T
Masaki
Ryoiti
R
Kiyama
Rumiko
R
Matsuoka
D000364:Agaricus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019677:Artificial Gene Fusion; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002460:Cell Line; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D008156:Luciferases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D025282:Mycelium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D015398:Signal Transduction
D004967:Estrogens; D008156:Luciferases