Suspected myotoxicity of edible wild mushrooms

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Toxicology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The yellow tricholoma (Tricholoma flavovirens) and king bolete (Boletus edulis) have been linked to rhabdomyolysis and fatalities in humans and elevated plasma creatine kinase (CK) in mice.
• This raises concerns about the potential myotoxicity of other commonly consumed wild mushrooms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the myotoxic potential of various edible wild mushrooms consumed traditionally.
• To determine if elevated plasma CK activity is a specific or general response to mushroom ingestion.

Main Methods:

• 86 mice were fed a diet containing diverse edible mushrooms (Russula spp, Cantharellus cibarius, Albatrellus ovinus, Leccinium versipelle) at varying doses (3, 6, or 9 g/kg body mass/day) for 5 days.
• Plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity was measured.
• Histological examination of muscle and liver tissues was performed.

Main Results:

• Plasma CK activity significantly increased in mice exposed to 9 g/kg body mass/day of all tested mushroom species.
• Histological analysis revealed no adverse effects in muscle or liver tissues.
• The observed myotoxic effects, indicated by elevated CK, were not specific to T. flavovirens.

Conclusions:

• Ingestion of significant quantities of various edible mushrooms can lead to elevated plasma CK activity in mice.
• This suggests a potential for unspecific myotoxic effects in susceptible individuals consuming large amounts of mushrooms.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and individual sensitivity factors involved in mushroom-induced myotoxicity.