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Sugihiratake mushroom (angel's wing mushroom)-induced cryptogenic encephalopathy may involve vitamin D analogues

Hideki Sasaki1, Hiroshi Akiyama, Yoshifumi Yoshida

  • 1Nihon Waters K.K., Tokyo, Japan. hideki_sasaki@waters.com

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|December 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Sugihiratake mushroom consumption was linked to a 2004 Japanese outbreak of cryptogenic encephalopathy. Analysis revealed vitamin D-like compounds in toxic mushrooms, potentially causing severe hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia.

Area of Science:

  • Food safety
  • Toxicology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • In 2004, a Japanese outbreak of cryptogenic encephalopathy occurred among renal failure patients.
  • Mushroom consumption, specifically sugihiratake, was implicated in the outbreak.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between sugihiratake mushroom consumption and cryptogenic encephalopathy.
  • To identify potential toxic metabolites in sugihiratake mushrooms.

Main Methods:

  • Multivariate analysis of metabolites using UPLC/ToF MS.
  • Comparison of 'Probably Toxic' and 'Probably Safe' sugihiratake samples.

Main Results:

  • Milligram quantities of vitamin D-like compounds were detected in toxic sugihiratake.
  • These compounds were present in mushrooms from outbreak areas.

Conclusions:

  • The identified vitamin D-like compounds may cause encephalopathy via vitamin D agonism (hypercalcemia/hyperammonemia) or antagonism (hypocalcemia).
  • Further research is needed to confirm the exact mechanism of toxicity.

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