Mushroom Bulgaria inquinans Modulates Host Immunological Response and Gut Microbiota in Mice

Abstract

We aimed to determine the prebiotic impact of Mushroom Bulgaria inquinans (BI) on the host immune response and gut microbiota. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet supplemented with 0, 1, or 2% BI for 4 wks. Compared to mice fed with a control diet (0% BI), mice fed with 1 or 2% BI had an increase of T cell proliferation from the spleen, but such change was not found between 1 and 2% BI treated mice. Also, BI at 2% increased the production of IL-2 of splenocytes stimulated with T-cell mitogens, but BI at 1 and 2% did not affect productions of other splenic-T cell cytokines including IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ. Interestingly, BI at 1 or 2% inhibited T cell proliferation of mesenteric lymph node (mLN) but this effect was not found between 1 and 2% BI treated mice. Furthermore, BI inhibited the production of IL-2 in anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated T cells from mLN in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, BI at 2%, not 1% inhibited the production of IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ of mLN. Since BI at 2% produced a more significant effect on the immune response, we further used BI at 2% to evaluate the effect of BI on gut microbiota. Of note, BI reduced the diversity of gut microbiota and resulted in an increase of Faecalibaculum and Parabacteroides abundance and the decrease of Allobaculum, Candidatus _ Saccharimonas , and Rikenella abundance at the genus level. Finally, the correlation was observed between specific bacteria genera and the productions of T-cell cytokines from mesenteric lymphocytes: Rikenella and Candidatus_Saccharimonas correlated positively with IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ; Bacteroides and Parabacteroides correlated negatively with IL-2 and IL-4; Faecalibaculum correlated negatively with IFN-γ and IL-4 and Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium correlated negatively with IFN-γ. The specific role of each intestinal microbiota observed is still unclear, but BI might exert a prebiotic effect on gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria ( Faecalibaculum ). This is helpful for further demonstrating the healthy-promotion mechanism of B. inquinans .

Altered Fecal Microbiome and Metabolome in a Mouse Model of Choroidal Neovascularization

“…Another study has demonstrated that egg white peptides significantly increase the relative abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas and inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines (Ge et al, 2021). Sang et al (2020) reported that the mushroom Bulgaria inquinans reduces the diversity of the gut microbiota and downregulates the abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas and that Candidatus_Saccharimonas is positively correlated with several cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ). Therefore, despite some unclear mechanisms, Candidatus_Saccharimonas might be associated with inflammation and the host immunological response.…”

A Step Forward Towards Exploring Nutritional and Biological Potential of Mushrooms: A Case Study of <i>Calocybe gambosa</i> (Fr.) Donk Wild Growing in Serbia

“…This is supported by a recent study by Li et al [2021], which indicates that the application of different mushrooms, such as Lentinula edodes, Hericium erinaceus, Grifola frondosa, Ganoderma lucidum, positively affects gut microbiota. This has been validated by using experimental animals fed with Bulgaria inquinans; after a course of treatment, the status of their gut microbiota has been significantly improved [Sang et al, 2020]. Among the identified compounds from mushrooms, non-digestable carbohydrates had a profound impact on the gut microbiota, leading to its restoration in individuals suffering from dysbiosis [Ma et al, 2021].…”

Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Immune System by Probiotics, Pre-biotics, and Post-biotics

“…Pre-biotic Mushroom, Bulgaria inquinans (BI) was assessed in male C57BL/6 mice to investigate its impact on gut microbiota. Mice received BI (1 or 2%) for 4 weeks, and the results indicated the decreased diversity of gastrointestinal bacteria, increased abundance of Faecalibaculum and Parabacteroides , and decreased abundance of Allobaculum and Rikenella ( 52 ). A study showed that moderate intake of red wine polyphenols could regulate gut microbiota composition in patients with metabolic syndrome, with significantly increased the number of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus , and butyrate-producing bacteria ( Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Roseburia ) in faeces ( 41 ).…”

“…Pre-biotic Mushroom BI was assessed in male C57BL/6 mice to investigate its impact on the host immune response. The results showed that 1 and 2% BI intervention could stimulate the proliferation of T cells from the spleen, and 2% BI could even increase IL-2 production in splenocytes, consequently influencing the peripheral and mucosal immune systems ( 52 ). In a randomised, controlled study, polyphenol supplementation reduced plasma levels of IL-8 in pre-hypertensive volunteers ( 63 ).…”