Influence of Ganoderma lucidum on blood biochemistry and immunocompetence in horses.
Abstract: The characteristic ingredients of Ganoderma lucidum, such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, nucleic acids and small proteins, have been found and proved to have many special pharmacological properties. Mice and rats have been extensively used to investigate the effects of G. lucidum. Experiments with horses as an animal model for investigating the effects of G. lucidum have never been reported. The purpose of this investigation was to understand the influence of G. lucidum feeding on blood biochemistry and immunocompetence in horses. Complete blood count (CBC) and blood biochemistry were surveyed routinely. Cellular-mediated immunity was monitored by flow cytometry to survey the percentage changes of CD5+, CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). The effect of G. lucidum on humoral immunity was experimented by fast plate agglutination test to survey the change and manifestation of the titer of specific anti-egg albumin antibodies in the serum after egg albumin injection. The findings on CBC and blood biochemistry indicated that G. lucidum was quite safe to horses. Experimental result on cell-mediated immunity showed that G. lucidum could increase the percentage of CD5+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in PBLs (p < 0.001). Experimental result on humoral immunity showed that G. lucidum could help the horses to produce a significantly higher quantity of specific antibodies in a shorter time (p < 0.001).
Publication Date: 2005-01-28 PubMed ID: 15673198DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X04002533Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research analyzes how the use of Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom, affects the immune system and blood chemistry of horses. The study found that G. lucidum is safe for horse consumption, produced no abnormal effects on blood chemistry, enhanced cell-mediated immunity, and accelerated the production of specific antibodies.
Introduction to Ganoderma Lucidum and the Study
- In this study, the researchers examined the impact of Ganoderma lucidum, a type of mushroom known for its medicinal properties, on the blood biochemistry and immune systems of horses. G. lucidum contains various significant ingredients, such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, nucleic acids, and small proteins that may possess beneficial pharmacological properties.
- While numerous past studies have focused on the effects of G. lucidum in mice and rats, this study is considered unique as it used horses as the subjects.
Methodology
- To measure the influence of G. lucidum, the researchers conducted routine Complete Blood Count (CBC) and blood biochemistry tests.
- The study used flow cytometry to monitor changes in cellular-mediated immunity by evaluating alterations in CD5+, CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and B-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs).
- The impact of G. lucidum on humoral immunity was assessed using a fast plate agglutination test. This test tracked changes in the specific anti-egg albumin antibodies in serum after an egg albumin injection.
Main Findings
- The results of the CBC and blood biochemistry tests suggested that G. lucidum is safe for horses, demonstrating no abnormal effects on their blood chemistry.
- The study revealed that G. lucidum could enhance cell-mediated immunity. This was evident from the significant increase in the percentage of CD5+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the PBLs.
- Finally, the results showed that G. lucidum contributed to improved humoral immunity by helping horses produce more specific antibodies faster.
Cite This Article
APA
Lai SW, Lin JH, Lai SS, Wu YL.
(2005).
Influence of Ganoderma lucidum on blood biochemistry and immunocompetence in horses.
Am J Chin Med, 32(6), 931-940.
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X04002533 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Blood Cell Count
- CD5 Antigens / blood
- Female
- Ganoderma
- Horses / blood
- Horses / immunology
- Immunocompetence / drug effects
- Lymphocytes / drug effects
- Lymphocytes / immunology
- Male
- Medicine, Chinese Traditional
- Reishi
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Shin Y, Kim B, Kim W. Cisplatin-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Effect of Herbal Medicines. Plants (Basel) 2022 Dec 6;11(23).
- Wei B, Zhang R, Zhai J, Zhu J, Yang F, Yue D, Liu X, Lu C, Sun X. Suppression of Th17 Cell Response in the Alleviation of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides. J Immunol Res 2018;2018:2906494.
- Ciftci B, Varol IS, Akcura S, Kardes YM, Karaman S, Kaplan M. Morphological and nutritional responses of sorghum to variable irrigation levels and nitrogen doses. PLoS One 2025;20(5):e0323901.
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