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Introduction

Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst. (Polyporaceae) is a medicinal mushroom known to the Japanese as ‘Rei-shi’ or ‘Mannentake’, and to the Chinese as ‘Lingzhi’. Its fruiting bodies have been used for their medicinal properties in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The use of this mushroom for promotion of vitality and as an anti-aging agent is described in detail in the classic compendium of traditional Chinese medicine Shen Nung Ben Cao Jin (dated 206 B.C. - 8 A.D.). Furthermore, Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) was used more recently in China and other oriental countries for the treatment of debility and weakness, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, bronchitis, arthritis, neurasthenia, insomnia, hepatopathy, chronic hepatitis, nephritis, gastric ulcer, asthma, diabetes, altitude sickness, AIDS and cancer (1–3). Of particular interest among the reported biological/pharmacological properties of G. lucidum are its anti-tumor activities, including cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of motility, anti-angiogenesis and anti-mutagenesis (3–9). The fruiting bodies and the mycelium of the mushroom have very similar compositions, but the mycelium contains several additional nutrients and beneficial components. Thus, the mycelium is considered to be the ‘essence’ of the mushroom organism and is consumed as a functional food. The use of mycelia of Ganoderma as a ‘designer food’ means that culture techniques for this organism are well established.

A water-soluble extract from the culture medium of G. lucidum (Rei-shi) mycelia (MAK) after fermentation on a solid medium containing bagasse contains various types of substances, such as polysaccharides, proteins, water-soluble lignin and triterpenes. Previously, we reported that MAK shows preventive effects on the development of chemical carcinogen-induced aberrant crypt foci, colon adenomas, colon tumors and pulmonary adenocarcinomas in rats (10–13). Furthermore, we reported that MAK has protective effects against X-irradiation-induced small intestinal injury in mice (14). Many of the adverse effects of anti-cancer drugs also arise from the ability of these drugs to inhibit DNA synthesis and cell division in normal cells. Thus, we hypothesized that MAK is able to protect against small intestinal injury after chemotherapy. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of MAK and Agarics blazei on small intestinal injury after the administration of various types of anti-cancer drugs.

Materials and methods

Animals

Two hundred and thirty 6-week-old male B6C3F1/Crlj mice (Charles River Japan, Inc.) were used in the present study. They were housed five to a polycarbonate cage and kept under constant conditions of temperature (24±2°C) and relative humidity (55±10%) with a 12-h light/dark cycle. The animals were maintained in accordance with the ‘Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals’ established by the Hiroshima University and fed a commercial diet (Oriental Yeast Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) alone or with a 1.25, 2.5 or 5.0% (w/w) supplement of MAK or AGA. Normal tap water was also provided ad libitum.

Anti-cancer drugs

Anti-cancer drugs were obtained as follows: 5FU (5-FU injection 250 Kyowa; Kyowa Hakko Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), UFT (prepared by Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), CDDP (Randa injection; Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), CPA (Endoxan; Shionogi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) and Iressa (Iressa tablets 250; AstraZeneca K.K., Osaka, Japan).

G. lucidum mycelia and Agarics blazei

A water-soluble extract from the culture medium of MAK was prepared by Noda Shokkin-Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Chiba, Japan). In brief, MAK were cultured in a solid medium composed mainly of sugar-cane bagasse for three months. The whole medium containing the mycelia was then extracted with hot water. The extract was filtered and spray-dried to obtain MAK. Agarics was purchased as a commercial powder of Agarics blazei Murrill.

Autopsy

Mice were sacrificed 3.5 days after injection of the anti-cancer drugs. Immediately after sacrifice, segments of the jejunum from the ileum junction (30–40 cm) were removed and fixed in Carnoy’s solution. The segments were cut into several pieces, bundled together, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at a thickness of 3 μm and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. To quantify regenerating crypts, the number of crypts/circumference was determined in cross-section. In each mouse, the number of regenerative crypts in 10 gut cross-sections was scored.

Experiment 1

This was a comparative study of the ability of MAK and AGA to attenuate the small intestinal injury induced by 5FU. Mice were fed a basal diet (MF) alone or with 1.25, 2.5 or 5.0% of MAK or AGA beginning one week prior to treatment with the anti-cancer drug, which was administered intravenously (i.v.) (250 mg/kg) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) (250 or 500 mg/kg). At 3.5 days after the administration of 5FU, the mice were sacrificed. Body weight and organ weights of thymus, liver, kidney, spleen and testis were recorded, and the number of regenerative crypts of the small intestine was measured as described above.

Experiment 2

This was a study of the protective effect of MAK on small intestinal injury induced by several anti-cancer drugs. At one week after initiation of treatment with MAK, the anti-cancer drugs were administered as follows: CPA was given orally (p.o.; 250 mg/kg), i.p. (200 mg/kg) and subcutaneously (s.c.; 150 mg/kg). Iressa was p.o. as one dose (2,000 mg/kg) or as two doses (4,000 mg/kg) with a 2-h interval between the doses. Mice were sacrificed at 3.5 days after the administration of each anti-cancer drug. Body and organ weights and the number of regenerative crypts were measured.

Statistical analysis

Statistical significance was determined by Dunnett’s method for multiple comparisons.

Results

Experiment 1: Comparative study of the ability of MAK and AGA to attenuate 5FU-induced small intestinal injury

The administration of 5FU (250 mg/kg, i.v.) resulted in body weight and organ weight loss in spleen, liver, thymus and kidney, but not in testis (Table I). Treatment with MAK and AGA did not affect these weight losses, except that kidney weight loss was attenuated in the 5FU + MAK and 5FU + AGA groups, with the exception of 5FU + 5% MAK.

Table I Body and organ weights (relative weights).

Table I

Body and organ weights (relative weights).

Group	BW (g)	Spleen (mg)	Liver (g)	Thymus (mg)	Kidney (g)	Testis (g)
Normal	23.1±1.1	0.090±0.019	1.37±0.09	0.044±0.009	0.39±0.02	0.149±0.011
5% MAK	23.6±0.6a	0.095±0.017a	1.48±0.10a	0.050±0.009a	0.41±0.03a	0.148±0.017
5% AGA	24.1±1.6a	0.111±0.037a	1.48±0.12a	0.062±0.008a	0.41±0.03a	0.152±0.007
5FU + MF	21.1±1.5c	0.038±0.006c	1.18±0.16c	0.028±0.012d	0.32±0.02d	0.127±0.019
5FU + 5% MAK	21.3±1.2	0.042±0.003	1.19±0.09	0.022±0.004	0.34±0.02	0.114±0.027
5FU + 5% AGA	21.6±0.8	0.045±0.004	1.26±0.10	0.027±0.009	0.36±0.03b	0.134±0.023
5FU + 2.5% MAK	21.6±1.2	0.042±0.004	1.21±0.05	0.027±0.005	0.36±0.04b	0.132±0.019
5FU + 2.5% AGA	21.4±1.6	0.045±0.005	1.25±0.17	0.014±0.005	0.36±0.02b	0.133±0.018
5FU + 1.25% MAK	22.3±0.6	0.042±0.002	1.22±0.05	0.019±0.007	0.36±0.01b	0.127±0.021
5FU + 1.25% AGA	22.9±0.5	0.047±0.004	1.28±0.06	0.027±0.012	0.39±0.01a	0.147±0.005

{ label (or @symbol) needed for fn[@id='tfn1-ol-01-01-0063'] } Values are mean ± SD.

a Significant difference from the 5FU + MF value (p<0.01);

b significant difference from the 5FU + MF value (p<0.05);

c significant difference from the normal value (p<0.05);

d significant difference from the normal value (p<0.01).

Small intestine tissue specimens were prepared and counted for the number of regenerative crypts (Table II). The administration of 5FU (250 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly decreased the number of regenerative crypts compared with the normal group (83.7±11.2 vs. 110.2±8.9, p<0.01). The 5FU + MAK groups showed a significant increase compared with the 5FU-alone group (p<0.01), whereas treatment with 5FU + AGA did not affect the number of regenerative crypts (82.0±9.5 to 87.6±14.9). The number of regenerative crypts significantly decreased after treatment with 5FU (250 mg/kg, i.p.) compared with the normal group (89.1±11.0 vs. 100.6±10.5, p<0.01). Again, the number of regenerative crypts in the 5FU + MAK groups (106.6±16.6 to 118.1±15.3) was significantly higher than that in the 5FU-alone group (p<0.01), whereas treatment with 5FU + AGA did not affect the number of regenerative crypts (80.4±8.4 to 89.6±11.2). Administration of 5FU (500 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in a significant decrease in the number of regenerative crypts compared with the normal group (67.7±8.2 vs. 100.6±10.5, p<0.01). This decrease in the number of regenerative crypts was significantly attenuated in the 5FU + 5% MAK and 5FU + 2.5% MAK groups compared with the 5FU-alone group (83.4±7.9 and 82.8±7.9, p<0.01), whereas the 5FU + AGA and 5FU + 1.25% MAK groups showed no such effect (70.9±8.1 to 73.6±10.7). Small intestinal crypt regeneration was unaffected by MAK or AGA alone.

Table II Number of regenerative crypts.

Table II

Number of regenerative crypts.

Group	250 mg/kg i.v.	250 mg/kg i.p.	500 mg/kg i.p.
Normal	110.2±8.9a	100.6±10.5a	100.6±10.5a
5% MAK	112.9±12.2	100.5±9.2	100.5±9.2
5% AGA	116.2±13.6	103.7±10.0	103.7±10.0
5FU + MF	83.7±11.2	89.1±11.0	67.7±8.2
5FU +5% MAK	97.0±9.9a	106.6±16.6a	83.4±7.9a
5FU + 5% AGA	82.0±9.5	80.4±8.4	73.6±10.7
5FU + 2.5% MAK	110.3±14.3a	116.5±14.3a	82.8±7.9a
5FU + 2.5% AGA	87.6±14.9	89.6±11.2	70.9±8.1
5FU + 1.25% MAK	113.6±15.0a	118.1±15.3a	71.2±9.5
5FU + 1.25% AGA	85.5±9.9	87.3±10.8	73.4±7.9

{ label (or @symbol) needed for fn[@id='tfn6-ol-01-01-0063'] } Values are mean ± SD.

a Significant difference from the 5FU + MF value (p<0.01);

{ label (or @symbol) needed for fn[@id='tfn8-ol-01-01-0063'] } i.v., intravenously; i.p., intraperitoneally.

Experiment 2: Protective effect of MAK on small intestinal injury induced by several anti-cancer drugs

Fig. 1 shows body weight changes of mice administered with UFT 1,000 mg/kg (p.o.), CDDP 25 mg/kg (i.p.), CPA 250 mg/kg (p.o.) or Iressa 4,000 mg/kg (p.o.). The administration of UFT or CDDP decreased the body weight from the following day, and administration of CPA decreased body weight after 2 days, whereas the administration of Iressa had no effect on body weight. Treatment with MAK did not alter the body weight loss or gain associated with administration of these anti-cancer drugs.

Figure 1 Effect of several anti-cancer drugs with or without MAK treatment on body weight in mice. Body weights were monitored daily for 3 days after the administration of individual anti-cancer drugs. Asterisks indicate significant differences between the individual anti-cancer drug + MF group vs. the normal group (*p<0.05, **p<0.01).

Tissue specimens of the groups were prepared and counted to assess the number of regenerative crypts (Table III). Following administration of UFT (1,000 mg/kg, p.o.), the number of regenerative crypts significantly decreased compared with the normal group (65.8±8.1 vs. 107.6±10.4, p<0.01). At all dose levels, treatment with MAK significantly increased the number of regenerative crypts compared with the UFT-alone group (80.6±11.4 to 102.7±2.5, a 22.5–56.1% up-regulation compared with UFT + MF, p<0.01). Following administration of CDDP (12.5 mg/kg, i.p.), the number of regenerative crypts significantly decreased compared with the normal group (89.8±11.7 vs. 107.6±10.4, p<0.01). The number of regenerative crypts in the CDDP + MAK groups showed a significant increase compared with the CDDP-alone group (117.4±16.7 to 121.7±12.6, a 30.7–35.4% up-regulation compared with CDDP + MF; p<0.01). The number of regenerative crypts after administration of CDDP (25.0 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a significant decrease compared with the normal group (9.5±4.4 vs. 108.0±13.9, p<0.01). The number of regenerative crypts in the CDDP + MAK groups significantly increased compared with the CDDP-alone group (21.9±4.7 to 32.5±3.4, a 130.5–242.1% up-regulation vs. CDDP + MF; p<0.01). Following administration of CPA (250 mg/kg, p.o.), the number of regenerative crypts significantly increased compared with the normal group (120.9±12.1 vs. 110.5±12.6, p<0.01) and this up-regulation was further increased by treatment with MAK (136.6±13.8 to 150.0±14.7, a 13.0–24.1% increase vs. CPA + MF, p<0.01). The number of regenerative crypts after administration of CPA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a significant increase compared with the normal group (135.5±13.6 vs. 107.4±9.7, p<0.01) and again this up-regulation was further increased by treatment with MAK (145.1±16.3 to 152.2±17.2, a 7.1–12.3% increase vs. CPA + MF; p<0.01). Following administration of CPA (150 mg/kg, s.c.), the number of regenerative crypts was similar to that of the normal group (117.8±14.9 vs. 107.4±9.7), but treatment with MAK caused a significant up-regulation compared with the CPA-alone group (130.4±13.8 to 160.4±17.1, a 10.7–36.2% increase vs. CPA + MF; p<0.01). The number of regenerative crypts after the administration of Iressa (2,000 mg/kg, p.o.) was similar to that of the normal group (107.5±11.7 vs. 108.0±13.9), but the Iressa + MAK group showed a significant up-regulation compared with the Iressa-alone group (117.8±10.6 to 123.6±14.7, a 9.6–15.0% increase vs. Iressa + MF; p<0.01). Similarly, the number of regenerative crypts was unaffected by the administration of Iressa (4,000 mg/kg, p.o.) (110.0±11.8 vs. 110.5±12.6 in the normal group), but was significantly up-regulated in the Iressa + MAK group compared with the Iressa-alone group (132.2±15.5 to 161.5±19.8, a 20.2–46.8% increase vs. Iressa + MF; p<0.01).

Table III Effect of MAK on crypt regeneration after administration of several anti-cancer drugs.

Table III

Effect of MAK on crypt regeneration after administration of several anti-cancer drugs.

Group	No. of regenerative crypts	Increased rate (%)
UFT 1,000 mg/kg p.o.
Normal	107.6±10.4
UFT + MF	65.8±8.1
UFT + 1.25% MAK	80.6±11.4a	(22.5)b
UFT + 2.5% MAK	94.2±11.5a	(43.2)
UFT + 5.0% MAK	102.7±12.5a	(56.1)
CDDP 12.5 mg/kg i.p.
Normal	107.6±10.4
CDDP + MF	89.8±11.7
CDDP + 1.25% MAK	117.4±16.7a	(30.7)
CDDP + 2.5% MAK	121.7±12.6a	(35.4)
CDDP + 5.0% MAK	118.4±14.6a	(31.7)
CDDP 25 mg/kg i.p.
Normal	108.0±13.9
CDDP + MF	9.5±4.4
CDDP + 1.25% MAK	21.9±4.7a	(130.5)
CDDP + 2.5% MAK	26.6±5.3a	(180.0)
CDDP + 5.0% MAK	32.5±3.4a	(242.1)
CPA 250 mg/kg p.o.
Normal	110.5±12.6
CPA + MF	120.9±12.1
CPA + 1.25% MAK	136.6±13.8a	(13.0)
CPA + 2.5% MAK	148.7±15.0a	(23.0)
CPA + 5.0% MAK	150.0±14.7a	(24.1)
CPA 200 mg/kg i.p.
Normal	107.4±9.7
CPA + MF	135.5±13.6
CPA + 1.25% MAK	145.1±16.3a	(7.1)
CPA + 2.5% MAK	147.0±17.4a	(8.5)
CPA + 5.0% MAK	152.2±17.2a	(12.3)
CPA 150 mg/kg s.c.
Normal	107.4±9.7
CPA + MF	117.8±14.9
CPA + 1.25% MAK	130.4±13.8a	(10.7)
CPA + 2.5% MAK	150.6±17.0a	(27.8)
CPA + 5.0% MAK	160.4±17.1a	(36.2)
Iressa 2,000 mg/kg p.o.
Normal	108.0±13.9
Iressa + MF	107.5±11.7
Iressa +1.25% MAK	117.8±10.6a	(9.6)
Iressa + 2.5% MAK	119.9±13.7a	(11.5)
Iressa + 5.0% MAK	123.6±14.7a	(15.0)
Iressa 4,000 mg/kg p.o.
Normal	110.5±12.6
Iressa + MF	110.0±11.8
Iressa + 1.25% MAK	132.2±15.5a	(20.2)
Iressa + 2.5% MAK	151.5±16.9a	(37.7)
Iressa + 5.0% MAK	161.5±19.8a	(46.8)

{ label (or @symbol) needed for fn[@id='tfn9-ol-01-01-0063'] } Values are mean ± SD; p.o., given orally; i.p., intraperitoneally; s.c., subcutaneously.

a Significantly different from the value for the individual anti-cancer drug + MF group (p<0.01);

b percentage increase from the value for the individual anti-cancer drug + MF group.

Histologically, no marked changes such as desquamation, edema and/or necrosis were noted in the small intestine following the administration of CPA or Iressa.

Discussion

MAK prevented small intestinal injury by increasing the number of regenerative crypts, but had no effect on body weight loss induced by 5FU, UFT and CDDP. Wang et al reported that a G. lucidum extract ameliorated CDDP-induced nausea, vomiting and food intake in a concentration-dependent manner in a rat pica model measuring kaolin intake (15). In a clinical study reported by Shu-Ru et al, a Chinese medicinal herb complex containing a G. lucidum extract decreased leucopenia and neutropenia induced by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (16). Nonaka et al reported that an antlered form of G. lucidum (Rokkaku-reishi) relieved CPA-induced weight loss, and suggested that G. lucidum is useful in reducing the adverse effects of anti-cancer drugs (17). Furthermore, Nonaka et al reported that G. lucidum inhibited transplanted tumor growth, elongated life span when administered orally to mice (18) and showed anti-tumor activity when administered after tumor inoculation.

Recently, we found that 5FU decreased the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) induced by azoxymethane, and that combination with MAK further decreased the number of ACF (19). We suggested that MAK reduces the gastrointestinal adverse effects of anti-cancer drugs without attenuating their beneficial anti-tumor activity.

In the present experiment, MAK attenuated small intestinal damage caused by 5FU, whereas AGA did not. Further studies are required to elucidate the difference in the effects of mycelia and fruiting bodies, although we noted earlier that AGA does not protect against small intestinal damage by X-irradiation. We conclude that AGA is ineffective for the prevention of acute small intestinal injury. On the other hand, the present study showed that MAK is active against small intestinal injury induced by 5FU, UFT, CPA, Iressa and CDDP.

It is well established that, regardless of the administration route, the mechanism by which anti-cancer drugs such as 5FU, UFT and CDDP exert both their therapeutic and toxic effects is by inhibition of DNA synthesis. Recently, Tong et al reported that Reishi increased the uptake of BrdU in a mouse spleen cell cultivation system and promoted cell proliferation (20). In our study, the number of regenerative crypts increased by administration of CPA or Iressa plus MAK, but not of MAK alone. Furthermore, we observed no marked changes such as desquamation, edema and/or necrosis in the small intestine after administration of CPA or Iressa. Clinically, small intestinal injury was reported after administration of both CPA and Iressa (21). The reason that these two anti-cancer drugs did not affect small intestinal crypts in this experiment is not clear, but it is conceivable that they had some effect other than inhibition of DNA synthesis, since crypt regeneration was accelerated by MAK after administration of these agents. It is possible that MAK-induced crypt regeneration after administration of these drugs is a response to a mild injury that cannot be detected by microscopic observation.

Taken together, the results suggest that Reishi can immediately promote cell growth to repair acute injury caused by trauma such as X-irradiation and/or administration of chemotherapeutic drugs. Recently, Fukatsu et al reported that 5FU influences gut-associated lymphoid tissue (known as GALT) by reducing the number of lymphocytes in the small intestinal intraepithelial space and lamina propria (22). Strober et al reported that the breakdown of GALT may contribute to chronic inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (23). Previously, we found that MAK shows a preventive action on the DSS-induced mouse model of ulcerative colitis (unpublished data). In this context, the acceleration of regenerative crypt growth after administration of 5FU, UFT, CPA and Iressa suggests that MAK functions through a GALT-mediated mechanism of action. It is thought that a part of the activity of Rokkaku-reishi against the adverse effects of CPA may be mediated by its immunomodulating properties, such as natural killer activity, interferon-γ production, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity and inhibition of abnormal changes in the interleukin-4 level (17,18). We also previously reported that MAK has immunomodulating functions, such as the up-regulation of phagocytosis and NK activity and increased TNF-α production (24). Thus, if the administration of anti-cancer drugs such as CPA and Iressa induces immunological dysregulation in the GALT, such effects may be reversed by the immunomodulatory action of MAK.

Edema or cell infiltration of the fore-stomach and/or renal injury after administration of anti-cancer drugs were confirmed by the microscopic observations in this experiment, although MAK appeared to have little effect on these lesions (data not shown). Conversely, Omori et al reported that Reishi reduced the renal disorder induced by CDDP (25). However, our study only had 3.5 day duration and the longer-term effect of MAK on injury to these organs needs to be established in further studies.

In conclusion, our results suggest that MAK ameliorates the small intestinal damage induced by cancer treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, thereby improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Further studies of longer duration are required to assess the value of this preparation in the treatment of other adverse effects of anti-cancer drugs, such as organ injury and alopecia.

References