Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushrooms) in HIV-Infected Individuals Taking Antiretroviral Therapy

Authors:
Donald I. Abrams, Paul Couey, Starley B. Shade, Mary Ellen Kelly, Nnemdi Kamanu-Elias, Paul Stamets

Journal:
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-11-60

Study Design

Open-label, single-arm, 8-week proof-of-concept clinical trial

Participants

Twenty-five HIV-positive adults with ART-induced hyperlipidemia, of whom 20 completed the trial. All were taking efavirenz or ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors and had non-HDL cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL.

Intervention

Daily oral intake of 15 g freeze-dried Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom powder for 8 weeks. The preparation was added to hot foods. No lipid-lowering drugs were used concurrently.

Outcome Measures

• Non-HDL cholesterol (primary outcome)
• HDL cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides
• Liver enzymes and creatine phosphokinase (safety)
• Self-reported tolerability and muscle pain

Summary

This trial tested whether oyster mushrooms could reduce elevated cholesterol in HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy. The average reduction in non-HDL cholesterol was minimal and not statistically significant. Only 3 of 20 participants achieved a sustained ≥30 mg/dL decrease in non-HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides dropped by 18.7% and HDL increased slightly, but these changes were not clinically meaningful. The supplement was safe but poorly tolerated due to taste and texture. Results did not support further study of this preparation as a treatment for ART-associated hyperlipidemia.