Agaricus blazei Murrill and Inflammatory Mediators in Elderly Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors: C. U. J. O. Lima, V. C. Souza, M. C. Morita, M. D. Chiarello, M. G. de Oliveira Karnikowski

Journal: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Participants: 57 elderly women who were carriers or homozygous for the majority allele of functional polymorphisms for the cytokines IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α

Intervention:

• Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) extract: 900 mg/day (300 mg three times daily) for 60 days
• Placebo group: Equivalent capsules containing psyllium fiber and gelatin

Outcome Measures:

• Serum cytokine levels: IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α
• Anthropometric measures: Body mass index (BMI), abdominal girth, body fat percentage
• Blood pressure and dietary intake

Summary:
This study assessed the immunomodulatory effects of Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) extract on pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in elderly women. After 60 days of supplementation, there were no significant changes in IL-6, IFN-γ, or TNF-α levels between the AbM and placebo groups. Similarly, body composition, blood pressure, and dietary intake remained unchanged, suggesting that AbM extract had no measurable immunomodulatory effects in this population.

The study contrasts with previous in vitro and animal model findings, which reported AbM-induced cytokine increases. The lack of effect in elderly women may be due to age-related immune changes, genetic factors, and metabolic influences. The results indicate that AbM extract may not have a clinically relevant impact on immune markers in elderly individuals.