Shiitake Mushroom as a Wholefood Supplementation in a Western Diet Modulates the Gut Microbiome, Serotonergic System, and Wnt Signaling to Promote Gut Health in Mice.

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Citation abstract

BACKGROUND: A Western-style diet (WD), typically high in fat and low in fiber and certain micronutrients, has been linked to a range of chronic diseases through its impact on gut health. Mushrooms exhibit a distinct nutritional profile that complements the deficiencies commonly associated with a WD.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the potential of Shiitake mushrooms as a wholefood supplement to a WD to improve its quality and gut health.

METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 12/group) were divided into 3 dietary groups for 12 wk: low-fat diet (LF, 10% kcal from fat), high-fat diet (HF, 45% kcal from fat), and high-fat diet with 5% Shiitake mushroom powder (HFM). Feces, blood, and colonic samples were collected at the end of the study for microbiome and molecular analysis.

RESULTS: The HF increased the body weight, whereas Shiitake mushroom supplementation attenuated the effect (P < 0.05). The HFM reshaped the gut microbiome, notably with increased abundance (P < 0.01) of Akkermansia, Lactococcus, and Turicibacter, which are reportedly beneficial to support gut health. The Shiitake mushroom also altered the gut serotonergic system (P < 0.05); the implication to gut health merits further research. The HFM group exhibited reduced Wnt signaling, as indicated by reduced active β-catenin, as well as downstream genes including Cyclin D1, c-Myc, and Axin2, which were otherwise elevated by HF (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Given the crucial roles of both the gut serotonergic system and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in maintaining gut function and health, these findings suggest that incorporating Shiitake mushrooms into a WD could serve as a promising Food-Is-Medicine strategy to enhance gut health and address related health conditions associated with the industrialized lifestyle.