Maitake promotes recovery of leukocytes after chemo

Husband11

A mouse based study, but interesting nevertheless.  I wish Memorial Sloan Kettering would continue its study of maitake D extract on breast cancer patients.  They published a phase I/II study and 2009, but nothing since.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3268513/

Abstract Bone marrow myelotoxicity is a major limitation of chemotherapy. While granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment is effective, alternative approaches to support hematopoietic recovery are sought. We previously found that a beta-glucan extract from maitake mushroom Grifola frondosa (MBG) enhanced colony forming unit-granulocyte monocyte (CFU-GM) activity of mouse bone marrow and human hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC), stimulated G-CSF production and spared HPC from doxorubicin toxicity in vitro. This investigation assessed the effects of MBG on leukocyte recovery and granulocyte/monocyte function in vivo after dose intensive paclitaxel (Ptx) in a normal mouse. After a cumulative dose of Ptx (90-120 mg/kg) given to B6D2F1 mice, daily oral MBG (4 or 6 mg/kg), intravenous G-CSF (80 μg/kg) or Ptx alone were compared for effects on the dynamics of leukocyte recovery in blood, CFU-GM activity in bone marrow and spleen, and granulocyte/monocyte production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Leukocyte counts declined less in Ptx + MBG mice compared to Ptx-alone (p = 0.024) or Ptx + G-CSF treatment (p = 0.031). Lymphocyte levels were higher after Ptx + MBG but not Ptx + G-CSF treatment compared to Ptx alone (p < 0.01). MBG increased CFU-GM activity in bone marrow and spleen (p < 0.001, p = 0.002) 2 days after Ptx. After two additional days (Ptx post-day 4), MBG restored granulocyte/monocyte ROS response to normal levels compared to Ptx-alone and increased ROS response compared to Ptx-alone or Ptx + G-CSF (p < 0.01, both). The studies indicate that oral MBG promoted maturation of HPC to become functionally active myeloid cells and enhanced peripheral blood leukocyte recovery after chemotoxic bone marrow injury. 

Husband11

Another published article on Maitake which discussed much of the work done to date:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2840554/

dlb823

Interesting.  The integrative doctor @ UCLA had me on Thorne Myco-Immune post-chemo, which contains several mushroom extracts, including maitake, so there's probably additional credible research out there supporting it as an immune system builder.    

Thorne's website states:  "Mushrooms have been used medicinally by many cultures for thousands of years. Proteoglycans and polysaccharides, including alpha-glucans and beta-glucans, are believed to be the active ingredients in many of these mushroom species. The seven mushrooms in Myco-Immune are the best-researched mushrooms known and have been shown in numerous studies to be potent immune-enhancers.*

Research demonstrates the mushrooms in Myco-Immune increase macrophage and NK-cell activity, phagocytosis, and interferon-gamma and interleukin-1 and -2 production, all of which promote good immune health.* Cordyceps, reishi, maitake, Schizophyllum, and Tremella stimulate B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, and Cordyceps, shiitake, and Coriolus possess activity against harmful microorganisms.*"             Deanna  

HLB

Maitake is a miracle mushroom! I take the extract every day. good for immunity and actually kills cancer cells. The maitake was the one that were able to find that it worked by taking it orally. I consider it the most imortant thing i take.

Paola2

Hallo girls,

I was going to buy my first pots of mushrooms...all enthousiastic...and I read...that these mushrooms ...especially cordiceps and reishi...stimulate estrogens!! so I ' m esitating