Influence of Short-Term Consumption of Hericium erinaceus on Serum Biochemical Markers and the Changes of the Gut Microbiota: A Pilot Study

Summary & key facts

Researchers had 13 healthy adults take Hericium erinaceus powder every day for seven days. They tested blood with routine blood and serum chemistry tests and checked gut bacteria using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. After the week, the gut bacterial community showed higher within-sample diversity and higher levels of several bacteria that make short-chain fatty acids (Kineothrix alysoides, Gemmiger formicilis, Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans, Eubacterium rectale, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii). Some other bacteria fell in relative abundance (Streptococcus thermophilus, Bacteroides caccae, Romboutsia timonensis). The bacterial changes were linked with blood markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP

Key facts:

• The study enrolled 13 healthy adults who consumed Hericium erinaceus powder daily.
• The supplementation period reported was seven days.
• Gut microbiota were measured by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.
• After supplementation, the study found an increase in alpha diversity (higher within-sample gut bacterial diversity).
• Relative abundance increased for several short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)–producing bacteria: Kineothrix alysoides; Gemmiger formicilis; Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans; Eubacterium rectale; and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.
• Relative abundance decreased for some bacteria the authors called pathobionts: Streptococcus thermophilus; Bacteroides caccae; and Romboutsia timonensis.
• Blood changes were measured by routine hematological exams and serum biochemical markers.
• Changes in the gut microbiota were correlated with blood chemical indices including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (CREA).
• The authors state that the observed gut microbiota alterations may be part of physiological adaptations to seven days of Hericium erinaceus supplementation and could potentially influence beneficial health effects.

Abstract

Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) is widely studied as a medicinal and edible fungus. Recent studies have shown that H. erinaceus has protective effects for diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, which are related to gut microbiota. To investigate the benefits of H. erinaceus intake on gut microbiota and blood indices in adulthood, we recruited 13 healthy adults to consume H. erinaceus powder as a dietary supplement. Blood changes due to H. erinaceus consumption were determined by routine hematological examination and characterized by serum biochemical markers. Microbiota composition was profiled by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results showed that daily H. erinaceus supplementation increased the alpha diversity within the gut microbiota community, upregulated the relative abundance of some short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria (Kineothrix alysoides, Gemmiger formicilis, Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans, Eubacterium rectale, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii), and downregulated some pathobionts (Streptococcus thermophilus, Bacteroides caccae, Romboutsia timonensis). Changes within the gut microbiota were correlated with blood chemical indices including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (CREA). Thus, we found that the gut microbiota alterations may be part of physiological adaptations to a seven-day H. erinaceus supplementation, potentially influencing beneficial health effects.

Topics

Fungal Biology and Applications Ginseng Biological Effects and Applications Gut microbiota and health

Categories

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Life Sciences Molecular Biology

Tags

Alkaline phosphatase Bacteria Bacteroides Bifidobacterium Bilberry Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biology Ecology Enzyme Erinaceus Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Fermentation Food science Gene Genetics Gut flora Hedgehog Hericium erinaceus Immunology Lactobacillus Microbiology Microbiome Raw material