Abstract
Effect of dietary fungi on immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration of serum and B lymphocytes of intestinal mucosa were investigated in rats sensitized subcutaneously by antigen. Experimental diets containing freeze-dried powders of Enokitake and Shiitake at 5% or 10% level were given to five week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats for 3 weeks. The experiments were performed twice. A significant decrease of body weight gain and a significant increase of small intestininal weight were shown in the 5% Enokitake group compared with the 5% cellulose and Shiitake groups. The IgG production in serum of rats was enhanced by Shiitake powder administration, but the effect of Enokitake powder was unclear because of the decreased body weight. No definite response was observed in the proportion of κ-light chain presenting lymphocytes in all the intestinal mucosa among the test groups. But, the proportion of IgA presenting lymphocytes in colonic mucosa tended to be higher than those in the small intestinal and cecal mucosa, suggesting different responses at the intestine portion.
