The Role of Mushrooms in the Promotion of Insulin Secretion

An overview of diabetes

According to The NICHD, “Diabetes is a condition in which the body’s levels of blood sugar and the hormone insulin are out of balance. It is one of the most common diseases in the United States, and its numbers are constantly rising.” – The NICHD / Diabetes: Overview

 

The reduction of insulin secretion by beta cells within the pancreas, and a lessening of insulin receptivity (an increase in insulin tolerance) in muscle cells etc. are involved in the onset of Type 2 diabetes.  Both alpha cells and beta cells exist in the pancreas, and both regulate blood sugar levels.

 

Test Method and Results

Insulin secreting pancreatic beta cells

+

Hot-water extracts of various mushrooms

Measure the promotion of insulin secretion

 

Promotion of insulin Secretion

 

4

2

0

0.1

0.5

2.2

Bunashimeji

2.1

Bunashimeji

2.1

Bunapi

2.6

Bunapi

1.3

King Trumpet

1.2

King Trumpet

1.4

Maitake

1.8

Maitake

(-)

control

Buna
shimeji

Buna
shimeji

Bunapi

Bunapi

King Trumpet

King Trumpet

Maitake

Maitake

Nothing was added to (-). / 10mM of arginine which results in the promotion of insulin secretion was added to the control sample.

 

We found that hot-water extracted from mushrooms may produce a strong effect on the promotion of insulin secretion. Results were especially notable in Bunashimeji, and Bunapi.

 

Published in: Japanese Society of Mushroom Science and Biotechnology Vol.14(2010)