Attenuating the rate of total body fat accumulation and alleviating liver damage by oral administration of vitamin D-enriched edible mushrooms in a diet-induced obesity murine model is mediated by an anti-inflammatory paradigm shift.

BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D is associated with many features of the metabolic syndrome, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Vitamin D-enriched mushrooms extracts exert a synergistic anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of the present study is to determine the immunomodulatory effect of oral administration of vitamin D-enriched mushrooms extracts on high-fat diet (HFD) animal model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: C57BL/6 mice on HFD were orally administered with vitamin D supplement, Lentinula edodes (LE) mushrooms extract, or vitamin D-enriched mushrooms extract for 25 weeks. Mice were studied for the effect of the treatment on the immune system, liver functions and histology, insulin resistance and lipid profile. RESULTS: Treatment with vitamin D-enriched LE extracts was associated with significant attenuation of the rate of total body fat accumulation, along with a decrease in hepatic fat content as measured by an EchoMRI. Significant alleviation of liver damage manifested by a marked decrease in ALT, and AST serum levels (from 900 and 1021 U/L in the control group to 313 and 340; 294 and 292; and 366 and 321 U/L for ALT and AST, in Vit D, LE and LE + Vit D treated groups, respectively). A corresponding effect on hepatocyte ballooning were also noted. A significant decrease in serum triglycerides (from 103 to 75, 69 and 72 mg/dL), total cholesterol (from 267 to 160, 157 and 184 mg/dL), and LDL cholesterol (from 193 mg/dL to 133, 115 and 124 mg/dL) along with an increase in the HDL/LDL ratio, and improved glucose levels were documented. These beneficial effects were associated with a systemic immunomodulatory effect associated with an increased CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio (from 1.38 in the control group to 1.69, 1.71 and 1.63), and a pro- to an anti-inflammatory cytokine shift. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of vitamin-D enriched mushrooms extracts exerts an immune modulatory hepato-protective effect in NASH model.

Familial Q fever clustering with variable manifestations imitating infectious and autoimmune disease.

Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, can present as an outbreak of acute disease ranging from asymptomatic disease, pneumonia, hepatitis or fever of unknown origin, which can progress to a chronic disease, most frequently endocarditis. The occurrence of Q fever within families is rarely described, and in most cases presents with uniform acute disease manifestations. Here we present a familial cluster of Q fever presenting as highly variable synchronous manifestations in four of five family members, including prolonged fever of unknown origin, asymptomatic carrier state, hepatitis, and chronic endocarditis developing in the absence of previous symptoms. This case series highlights the possibility of Q fever developing in cohabitated individuals with highly variable symptoms masking the common disease etiology. Screening of all exposed individuals, even those not clinically suspected to be infected, may enable to better identify, treat and prevent progression to chronic disease.