Effects on Gene Expression and Viral Load of a Medicinal Extract from Agaricus blazei in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Authors: B. Grinde, G. Hetland, E. Johnson

Journal: International Immunopharmacology

Study Design: Preliminary clinical evaluation

Participants: 5 patients (4 males, 1 female, aged 46–58 years) with chronic hepatitis C infection who had not responded to interferon treatment

Intervention:

• Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) extract: 20 ml three times daily for 1 week
• No control group (self-comparison before and after treatment)

Outcome Measures:

• Change in hepatitis C viral load
• Gene expression changes in peripheral blood cells
• Expression of immune-related genes, cytokines, and transcription factors

Summary:
This study investigated the effects of Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) extract on gene expression and viral load in patients with chronic hepatitis C who had failed conventional treatment. After one week of AbM extract intake, the average viral load slightly decreased, but the change was not statistically significant. Microarray analysis of blood cells found 220 up-regulated and 65 down-regulated genes, with notable changes in G-protein coupled receptor signaling, cell cycle regulation, and transcriptional control. Contrary to prior in vitro findings, the expected immune-stimulating cytokines (IL-8, IL-1B, CCL3, CXCL3) were not significantly induced, suggesting that β-glucans from AbM were not efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream. However, IFNAR1 (Interferon receptor 1) expression increased, which may have implications for future hepatitis C treatments. The study concludes that while AbM extract may modulate gene expression, its potential for hepatitis C treatment remains uncertain, requiring further investigation.