MEN'S HEALTH MATTERS:Maitake mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine, writes THOMAS LYNCH
Q I read a newspaper article recently about how mushrooms could be used to treat certain types of cancer. It was suggested they may become part of the standard treatment of the disease. Would you have any more information on this?
A Recent medical research has looked at the effect of the Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) on a variety of common cancers. These mushrooms are native to the northeastern part of Japan and North America. They have been used as medicinal mushrooms for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine. They are also commonly used in Chinese and Japanese cooking. Numerous benefits of the Maitake have been proposed, ranging from anti-cancer effects to treatment for blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hepatitis B infection. Most research has been focused on the use of maitake D-fraction, which is extracted from the Maitake mushroom.
Scientific research published in the British Journal of Urology International in September 2009 investigated the potential of the Maitake mushroom in the treatment of bladder cancer. The study, from New York, involved extracted human bladder cancer cells being exposed to a combination of a cancer treatment drug called interferon alpha and the maitake D-fraction. After 72 hours, combined treatment with maitake D-fraction and interferon had a greater effect than either drug used alone. The researchers concluded that the maitake D-fraction possibly enhances the activity of the interferon alpha.
The same research group had previously looked at the effect of the Maitake mushroom on prostate cancer cells extracted from humans and grown in a laboratory. The maitake D-fraction extract caused almost complete cell death of the prostate cancer cells and the scientists involved felt the Maitake mushroom may have potential as an alternative treatment of prostate cancer. In 2006, 2,399 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland, with 547 dying of the disease in the same year. It is the most common non-cutaneous cancer in men in Ireland.
Trials involving maitake mushrooms for other cancers have taken place. In a 1995 report from New York, researchers concluded that maitake D-fraction was able to activate the immune systems of mice that had been injected with liver cancer cells. A further study published in 1997 in the Annals of the New York Academy of Science found that maitake D-fraction was able to enhance the immune system and inhibit the spread of tumours in mice implanted with breast cancer.
While these trials show encouraging results and suggest that the use of Maitake mushrooms in a variety of cancers may be of benefit, it is important to note that all of these studies were conducted in the laboratory and not in actual tumours in patients. Further experiments in the laboratory are needed to fully evaluate their potential for use in the treatment of cancer.
Q I recently had a check-up with my GP. I was told that my urine contained white blood cells. It was checked for infection and I was told that the culture was negative. It was also checked for blood and I was told that it was clear. Two weeks later I had a repeat test and this again revealed white blood cells. I have very vague symptoms which include fatigue, achy feeling in my pelvic area and occasional lower back ache. What could be the cause of this?
A Usually the kidney does not allow blood cells to pass into the urine and, in any case, the blood has no contact with the urine. White blood cells combat microorganisms, so a common reason for persistent white cells in the urine is infection of the kidneys or bladder. For similar reasons, white spots can be seen on the throat when it is sore, and white heads seen on the skin when infected acne is present. The white areas are collections of these white blood cells, which form pus. A short course of antibiotics may be all that is required. Any inflammation of the urinary tract such as with kidney or bladder stones, immune disorders, allergies or growths along the urinary tract may also cause white blood cells to be present.
You may need to be seen by a urologist and you may need to have a kidney and bladder scan. Other tests such as a direct inspection of the bladder will be arranged as appropriate.
This weekly column is edited by Thomas Lynch, consultant urological surgeon, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, with a contribution from James Forde, urology registrar, St James’s Hospital, Dublin.
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