BACKGROUND: Prior study reported that mushroom consumption was associated with a lower incidence of hyperuricemia, but there is limited evidence on this association. We conducted a collaborative study to investigate the association between mushroom intake and hyperuricemia in middle-aged and older populations.
METHODS: We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the U.S. (2007-2018) and the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) in Japan (1997-2012). Consumption of mushroom (g/day) were measured by one- or two-day dietary recall in NHANES and by 3-day dietary records in the NILS-LSA. Hyperuricemia was defined using uric acid levels as > 420 μmol/L and > 350 μmol/L in NHANES for men and women, respectively; in the NILS-LSA, serum uric acid was repeatedly measured at baseline and follow-up surveys. Hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid levels > 416.4 μmol/L for men and ≥ 356.9 μmol/L for women. Logistic regression models in NHANES (cross-sectionally) and Generalized Estimation Equations in NILS-LSA (longitudinally) were performed.
RESULTS: A total of 5,778 NHANES participants (mean (SD) age: 53.2 (9.6) years) and 1,738 NILS-LSA (mean (SD) age: 53.5 (11.2) years) were included. Mushrooms were consumed by 5.7% of participants in NHANES and 81.2% in NILS-LSA. We did not observe a significant association between mushroom intakes and hyperuricemia in the NHANES men and women. However, in the NILS-LSA, compared to non-consumers, a higher mushroom intake was associated with a lower risk of incident hyperuricemia in men under 65 years old. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for non-consumers, participants with middle, and the highest consumption of mushrooms were 1.00 (Ref.), 0.77 (0.44, 1.36), and 0.55 (0.31, 0.99), respectively (P-trend = 0.036). No association was found in women in NILS-LSA.
CONCLUSIONS: Mushroom consumption was associated with a lower risk of incident hyperuricemia in Japanese men.

Two species of the genus Laccaria, are described as new reports for Pakistan. Laccaria murina has been collected from a Himalayan moist temperate forest in Khanspur, KP, while L. pumila was found in the moist temperate forests of Kumrat Valley in Dir Upper, KP, and at higher altitudes of the Deosai plains of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nrITS region clustered the Pakistani species with L. murina sequences with other Asian collections and L. pumila from USA and Netherlands. SEM of basidiospores along with detailed micro-morphological data are provided. General distribution, habitat, ecology, and diagnostic features are also discussed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: It has new reports from Pakistan, studies based on light, scanning electron microscopy, and nrITS molecular markers. These species have been described with detailed micro-morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. General distribution, ecology, diagnostic features, and comparisons with closely related specimens have been provided. Graphical representation of DNA extraction and geographical locations of sampling sites are also illustrated (Figures 1 and 2). Very few members of this genus are already described from Pakistan.

UNASSIGNED: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and cognitive function in older adults (≥60 years old).
UNASSIGNED: Food intake was quantitatively assessed by the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and cognitive function was assessed by the Chinese version of the Simple Mental State Examination Scale (MMSE). Four major dietary patterns were identified by the factor analysis (FA) method. The relationship between dietary patterns and cognitive function was evaluated by logistic regression.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 884 participants were included in the study. Four dietary patterns (vegetable and mushroom, oil and salt, seafood and alcohol, and oil tea dietary patterns) were extracted. In the total population, Model III results showed that the fourth quartile of dietary pattern factor scores for the vegetable and mushroom pattern was 0.399 and 7.056. The vegetable and mushroom dietary pattern may be a protective factor for cognitive function, with p-value = 0.033, OR (95% CI): 0.578 (0.348, 0.951) in Model III (adjusted for covariates: sex, ethnic, marital, agricultural activities, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, BMI, and dietary fiber). In the ethnic stratification analysis, the scores of dietary pattern factors of the vegetable and mushroom among the Yao participants were 0.333 and 5.064. The Vegetable and mushroom diet pattern may be a protective factor for cognitive function, p-value = 0.012, OR (95% CI): 0.415 (0.206, 0.815).
UNASSIGNED: The fourth quartile of the vegetable and mushroom dietary pattern scores showed dose-dependent and a strong correlation with cognitive function. Currently, increasing vegetable and mushroom intake may be one of the effective ways to prevent and mitigate cognitive decline. It is recommended to increase the dietary intake of vegetables and mushroom foods.

UNASSIGNED: Mushrooms are rich in dietary fiber, and fiber intake has been reported to increase the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). It has also been reported that SCFAs promote immunoglobulin A (IgA) production, indicating involvement in systemic immunity.
UNASSIGNED: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of mushroom consumption on the amount of intestinal IgA. We also aimed to comprehensively evaluate the gut microbiota and intestinal metabolome and to conduct an exploratory analysis of their relationship with IgA.
UNASSIGNED: Healthy adults (n = 80) were enrolled in a parallel group trial. Participants consumed a diet with mushrooms or a placebo diet once daily for 4 weeks. Gut microbiota profiles were assessed by sequencing the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA-encoding gene. Intestinal metabolome profiles were analyzed using capillary electrophoresis-time of flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS).
UNASSIGNED: Mushroom consumption tended to increase IgA levels at 4 weeks of consumption compared to those in the control group (p = 0.0807; Hedges\' g = 0.480). The mushroom group had significantly higher levels of intestinal SCFAs, such as butyrate and propionate, than the control group (p = 0.001 and 0.020; Hedges\' g = 0.824 and 0.474, respectively). Correlation analysis between the changes in the amount of intestinal IgA and the baseline features of the intestinal environment showed that the increasing amount of intestinal IgA was positively correlated with the baseline levels of SCFAs (Spearman\'s R = 0.559 and 0.419 for butyrate and propionate, respectively).
UNASSIGNED: Consumption of mushrooms significantly increased the intestinal SCFAs and IgA in some subjects. The increase in intestinal IgA levels was more prominent in subjects with higher SCFA levels at baseline. This finding provides evidence that mushroom alters the intestinal environment, but the intensity of the effect still depends on the baseline intestinal environment. This trial was registered at www.umin.ac.jp as UMIN000043979.

Mushrooms and algae are important sources of dietary bioactive compounds, but their associations with mortality remain unclear. We examined the association of mushrooms and algae consumption with subsequent risk of all-cause mortality among older adults. This study included 13,156 older adults aged 65 years and above in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2008-2018). Consumption of mushrooms and algae at baseline and age of 60 were assessed using a simplified food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During 74,976 person-years of follow-up, a total of 8937 death cases were documented. After adjustment for demographic, lifestyle, and other dietary factors, participants who consumed mushrooms and algae at least once per week had a lower risk of all-cause mortality than rare consumers (0-1 time per year) (HR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.80-0.93). Compared to participants with rare intake at both age 60 and the study baseline (average age of 87), those who maintained regular consumptions over time had the lowest hazard of mortality (HR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76-0.98). Our findings supported the potential beneficial role of long-term consumption of mushrooms and algae in reducing all-cause mortality among older adults. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the health benefit for longevity of specific types of mushrooms and algae.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the appearance of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of seven wild mushrooms of the University of Chittagong campus. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods, whereas DPPH radical scavenging assay was used to elucidate the antioxidant effect. Besides, in silico studies were implemented using the targets of human erythrocyte catalase 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, human glutathione reductase, and selected compounds. Again, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity (ADME/T) analysis has been determined by using online tools. Both Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) Karst. and Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. showed a significant (p < .001) increase in the percentage of scavenging activity at 400 μg/ml concentration when compared with ascorbic acid. The methanol extract of G. lucidum, G. applanatum, and Rhodofomes cajanderi (P. Karst.) B. K. Cui, M. L. Han & Y. C. Dai showed strong antioxidant activity with an IC50 value. In addition, molecular docking studies of the previously isolated compounds from three selective mushrooms revealed that the targeted compounds along with positive controls were able to interact strongly (range: -3.498 to -8.655) with the enzymes. The study concludes that the G . lucidum, G. applanatum, and R. cajanderi mushrooms can be a strong source in the management of oxidative stress-induced diseases.

β-D-glucans are proposed to have many health benefits. It is therefore important to have methods which can distinguish these from other carbohydrates present in natural products, as well as giving glucan content and structural information. Correlations between features in the CP/MAS spectra of β-D-glucans and enzyme assay determined β-D-glucan content were generally found to be poor. The β-D-glucan in dry and hydrated forms of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum was investigated in detail by spectral peak fitting to the anomeric carbon C1 region in CP/MAS NMR spectra. Hydrated samples gave spectra with enhanced resolution and suggested that a clear distinction between β-D-glucans and other carbohydrates could be possible in the anomeric carbon C1 region. Chemical shift values for a range of carbohydrate polymers, which can be found alongside β-D-glucans, as well as the values for various linkages are given. Contamination by other carbohydrates and buffer salts is discussed.

The BfR MEAL Study is the first German total diet study and will establish a representative and comprehensive database for dietary exposure assessment in Germany. The present study reports first results of the BfR MEAL Study regarding methylmercury in fish, seafood and mushrooms. In total, 34 MEAL foods were purchased nationally or regionally according to a defined sampling plan, prepared in a representative way for German households, pooled into 49 samples, homogenized and subjected to ICP-MS analysis. Dogfish, tuna, ocean perch, halibut and eel were the fish species with highest MeHg concentrations, while levels in mushrooms and mushroom products had markedly lower MeHg levels. Exposure was estimated by matching the present results with consumption data at appropriate levels of food group aggregation. MeHg exposure for adult high consumers (P 95) exceeded the tolerable weekly intake recommended by the European Food Safety Authority in two age groups (14-17 and 18-24 years). In children, no age group exceeded the recommended tolerable weekly intake. Regional samples differed only slightly in MeHg levels. The differences in exposure found in four regions of Germany were influenced by consumption habits rather than MeHg level in the investigated food.

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and biologic activities of eight mushroom species (Amanita crocea, Hemileccinum depilatum, Cyclocybe cylindracea, Lactarius deliciosus, Hygrocybe acutoconica, Neoboletus erythropus, Russula aurea and Russula sanguinea). The antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and mutagenic/antimutagenic activities were evaluated to provide data on the biologic activities. With respect to the chemical composition, LC-MS/MS technique was used to determine individual phenolic compounds present in the extracts. Antioxidant properties were investigated by different chemical methods including radical quenching (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating. In the enzyme inhibitory assays, cholinesterases, tyrosinase, amylase and glucosidase were used. Mutagenic and antimutagenic properties were evaluated by the Ames assay. In general, the best antioxidant abilities were observed from H. depilatum and N. erythropus, which also showed highest level of phenolics. The best cholinesterase inhibition ability was found from C. cylindracea (1.02 mg GALAE/g for AChE; 0.99 mg GALAE/g for BChE). Tyrosinase inhibition ability varied from 48.83 to 54.18 mg KAE/g. The extracts exhibited no mutagenic effects and showed significant antimutagenic potential. H. acutoconica, in particular depicted excellent antimutagenicity with a ratio of 97% for TA100 and with a rate of 96% for TA98 strain against mutagens in the presence of metabolic activation system. Results presented in this study tend to show that the mushroom species could be exploited as potential sources of therapeutic bioactive agents, geared towards the management of oxidative stress, global health problems and cancer.

Some research supports high-fat carbohydrate (CHO)-restricted diets for weight and fat loss and improvement of cardiovascular disease risk factors. To test this, a randomized crossover study was designed. Subjects (17 obese men and women [BMI: 30-38 kg/m2]) were fed three diets (supplying 1600 and 2200 kilocalories (kcal)/day for women and men, respectively) for 4 weeks, with each trial separated by 4-week washout periods. One CHO-restricted diet (10% CHO, 50% fat, and 40% protein content) was rich in plant foods and mushrooms, while the other CHO-restricted diet included more animal foods (10% CHO, 60% fat, and 30% protein content). The third diet was lower in fat and protein content (LF) and higher in CHOs (61% CHO, 21% fat, and 18% protein content). Body composition was assessed through hydrostatic weighing before and after each diet trial. Fasting blood samples were collected weekly for analysis of hormones and lipids. Data were analyzed through repeated measures analysis of variance with post hoc paired comparison t-tests. Weight and fat loss were similar (P > .05) among trials. Subjects lost lean mass (P < .05) during CHO-restricted trials, but not in the LF trial. Insulin concentrations decreased (P < .05) during the CHO-restricted trial and tended (P = .05) to decrease during the LF trial. Total cholesterol decreased (P < .05) for all trials; however, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased (P < .05) and triacylglycerols were higher (P < .05) following the LF trial. Taken together, energy restriction regardless of diet composition promoted similar weight loss; however, CHO-restricted diets based on either plants/mushrooms or animal foods elicited a more beneficial lipid-altering effect in comparison with the LF diet.