Lentinula edodes (shiitake) modulates chemically induced mutagenesis by enhancing pitting

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Mycology

Background:

• Alkylating agents induce mutagenesis in bone marrow and peripheral blood.
• Lentinula edodes extracts were previously shown to modulate these effects.
• Understanding the specific mechanisms of Lentinula edodes' antimutagenic properties is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the distinct mechanisms by which Lentinula edodes modulates in vivo mutagenesis in bone marrow versus peripheral blood.
• To identify the role of spleen macrophages and phagocytosis in the peripheral blood's response.
• To investigate the stability of antimutagenic compounds under specific storage conditions.

Main Methods:

• Male Swiss mice were pretreated with Lentinula edodes aqueous extracts.
• Assessment of circulating blood cells, bone marrow cell cycling, and spleen macrophage activity.
• Evaluation of phagocytosis of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRET).
• Analysis of compound stability at -20°C.

Main Results:

• Antimutagenicity in bone marrow and peripheral blood is mediated by distinct compounds.
• Bone marrow protective compounds degrade at -20°C, while peripheral blood compounds remain stable.
• Peripheral blood antimutagenicity involves increased spleen macrophage numbers and phagocytic activity, reducing circulating MNRET.
• Enhanced activation state of individual spleen macrophages is unlikely to be the primary mechanism.

Conclusions:

• Lentinula edodes possesses distinct antimutagenic compounds targeting different biological compartments.
• The spleen's phagocytic capacity, driven by macrophages, is key to Lentinula edodes' peripheral blood antimutagenic effects.
• Differential compound stability influences their efficacy and application in modulating mutagenesis.