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Effects of polysaccharides from wild morels on immune response and gut microbiota composition in non-treated and
Wenyan Huo1, Zhengping Feng, Suying Hu
1Fungal Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Microbiology, Xi'an 710043, Shaanxi, China. xianjunzhi@163.com.
Abstract:
Polysaccharides isolated from mushrooms have been identified as potential prebiotics that could impact gut microbiota. In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide (MP) extracted from wild morels was evaluated for its effects on the gut microbiota of non-treated and cyclophosphamide (CP)-treated mice. The results showed that MP restored the spleen weight and increased the counts of white blood cells and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and spleen of the CP-treated mice. Mice treated with MP exhibited increased levels of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, especially Lachnospiraceae, compared to normal mice, and increased levels of Bacteroidetes and SCFA-producing bacteria, especially Ruminococcaceae, compared to the CP-treated mice. Moreover, MP treatment increased the production of valeric acid and decreased the production of acetic acid in the non-treated mice and increased the production of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid in the CP-treated mice. These results show that MP is potentially good for health.
Insights
Mushroom polysaccharides (MP) from morels act as prebiotics, improving gut microbiota and immune responses in mice. MP treatment positively influenced immune cell counts and beneficial gut bacteria, promoting overall health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Mushroom-derived polysaccharides are recognized for their prebiotic potential.
- These compounds can modulate the gut microbiota composition and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a water-soluble polysaccharide (MP) from wild morels on gut microbiota.
- To evaluate MP's impact on immune parameters in cyclophosphamide (CP)-treated mice.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of water-soluble polysaccharide (MP) from wild morels.
- Administration of MP to non-treated and CP-treated mice.
- Analysis of gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production.
- Assessment of spleen weight and immune cell counts.
Main Results:
- MP treatment restored spleen weight and increased white blood cell and lymphocyte counts in CP-treated mice.
- MP increased levels of SCFA-producing bacteria (Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae) and Bacteroidetes.
- MP altered SCFA profiles, increasing valeric acid in non-treated mice and multiple SCFAs (acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric acids) in CP-treated mice.
Conclusions:
- The mushroom polysaccharide (MP) demonstrates beneficial effects on gut microbiota and immune function.
- MP shows potential as a prebiotic agent for improving host health.
- Further research into mushroom polysaccharides could yield novel health-promoting functional foods.
