Effect of a hot water extract of Agaricus blazei fruiting bodies(CJ-01) on the intracellular cytokines level in a patient with bronchitis

喘息様発作を伴う気管支炎患者において,アガリクス熱水抽出物(CJ-01)服用前後で末梢血リンパ球における細胞内サイトカインレベルをTh1系ではIL-2およびIFN-γを,またTh2系ではIL-10を測定した。CJ-01を2ヶ月服用した際には,頻回の咳,痰などの症状改善がみられ,またFlow Cytometry解析ではCJ-01服用後にIFN-γの上昇がみられた。CJ-01服用中止後3ヶ月で呼吸器症状の悪化がみられ,これと平行してIFN-γレベルの低下が認められた。しかしながらCJ-01服用再開後には,症状の改善とIFN-γレベルの上昇が認められた。患者にはさらに風邪をひきにくくなるなどの自覚もあった。これらの結果はCJ-01の免疫増強効果がIFN-γ産生増強を介して気管支炎症状を改善したことを示唆するものである。

Effect of an oral intake of a hot water extract of Agaricus blazei (CJ-01) on the levels of intracellular cytokines was examined in a bronchitic patient with asthma like attacks. The patient showed an improvement of the symptoms such as frequent cough and sputum after 2 months oral intake of CJ-01. We measured the intracellular production of IL-2 and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokines, as well as IL-10, anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokine, in mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Flow cytometric analysis showed an elevation of intracellular IFN-γ level in the lymphocytes of the patient. A deterioration of the symptoms of the patient was observed 3 months after discontinuance of CJ-01. A reduction of IFN-γ level was also observed in parallel. However, resuming oral intake of CJ-01 showed again an ameliolation of the symptoms and the elevation of IFN-γ level was repeatedly observed. The patient further acquired a resistance to catching colds. These results suggest that the immune enhancing effect of CJ-01 may improve the symptoms of bronchitis through a promotion of pro-inflammatory cytokine production.