New Research Highlights AHCC’s Potential in Preventing Liver Fibrosis Progression
Chronic liver damage can progress to hepatitis, which triggers fibrosis—a buildup of collagen and other fibrous tissue in the liver. This process accelerates when hepatic stellate cells are activated during hepatitis, potentially leading to severe conditions like liver cancer or cirrhosis, both of which can be life-threatening. With no effective treatments currently available for cirrhosis, targeting the activation of stellate cells is considered a promising approach to controlling liver fibrosis.
“An estimated one in every 3–4 individuals globally suffers from steatotic liver disease, characterized by abnormal lipid accumulation—a precursor to fibrosis. Early intervention to prevent the progression of liver fibrosis is crucial,” explained Dr. Hayato Urushima, Associate Professor at Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine.
Dr. Urushima’s research team explored the protective effects of AHCC (a standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia, produced by Amino Up Co., Ltd., Sapporo, Japan) on the liver and its underlying mechanisms.
Through experiments on mice, the team found that AHCC may inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells via two distinct pathways.
- Through the TLR2 (toll-like receptor protein) pathway, AHCC stimulated cytoglobin production, which reduced reactive oxygen species.
- Through the TLR4 pathway, the supplement suppressed collagen expression in the liver.
“Our goal is to conduct clinical trials to verify the effectiveness of AHCC in patients with liver fibrosis and establish stronger scientific evidence,” Dr. Urushima said.
The research was first published online on September 24, 2024, in the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, with the final version released on November 6, 2024.
