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Active Hexose Correlated Compound
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Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is an
alpha-glucan rich nutritional supplement produced from the
mycelia of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) of the basidiomycete
family of mushrooms, and is not an approved drug.
[1][2]
An evidence-based review concluded that AHCC may have
immunostimulatory effects; whether this offers any benefit
for infections and cancer remains to be determined.
[3]
AHCC was originally designed to lower high-blood
pressure. However, researchers at Tokyo University found
that AHCC increased natural killer (NK) cell activity in
cancer patients, and also enhanced the effects of killer T-
cells, and cytokines (interferon, IL-12, TNF-
alpha).
[citation needed]
One cohort study published in 2003 reported improved survival associated with AHCC in primary liver
cancer patients after surgical resection of the primary tumor.
[4]
The immunological effect of AHCC
has been studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 21 healthy volunteers.
[5]
The
AHCC group showed a significantly higher number of total dendritic cells compared with baseline, a
significantly higher number of DC1 cells compared with baseline, a significantly higher number of
DC2 cells compared with controls, and a significantly increased mixed-leukocyte reaction compared
with controls. There was no significant difference in cytokine production, NK cell activity or other
immune function parameters between the two groups.
Contents [hide]
1 AHCC Active Hexose Correlated Compound
2 Manufacturing process
3 Chemical composition
4 Safety of AHCC
5 Role of AHCC as a supplemental alternative medicine
6 AHCC and cell-mediated immunity
7 AHCC and cancer
8 Improves quality of life for cancer patients
9 AHCC and viral infections
10 AHCC and prevention
11 See also
12 References
13 External links
Active Hexose Correlated Compound is
a chemical isolated from the Shiitake
mushroom.
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Active Hexose Correlated Compound - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Hexose_Correlated_Compound[1/18/2013 8:27:43 AM]
AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound), a registered trademark of Amino Up Co. Ltd. is a
functional food made from the hybridized mycelia of shiitake and other mushrooms fermented in rice
bran. It was developed by Professor Toshihiko Okamoto, Department of Pharmacology, Tokyo
University in conjunction with Amino Up Chemical Co. Ltd. of Sapporo, J apan. It was developed as a
therapeutic aid for life-style related diseases, including liver diseases and diabetes. AHCC adheres to
international quality and safety standards, including the HACCP9000 system. This system is a
combination of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) systems, which is an international
level hygiene control system for foods and ISO9002 (International Organization for Standardization
9002), a quality assurance system.
AHCC is manufactured by culturing the mycelia of basidiomycetes (mushroom root threads) for a
period of 45 60 days in a large holding tank. Several types of mycelia are initially cultured to form a
colony (a mass of mycelia). After the culture is completed, the product is subjected to enzyme
reaction, sterilization, concentration and freeze drying.
Polysaccharides comprise 40% of the composition of AHCC. These include beta-glucan (-glucan)
and acetylated -glucan. Acetylated -glucan, produced by culturing the mushroom mycelia, is
unique to AHCC. Glucans are polysaccharides and these polysaccharides are known to have immune
stimulating effects.
[6]
The low molecular weight of acetylated -glucan (around 5000 daltons) is
easily absorbed into the system compared to the higher molecular weight of -glucan, which is in the
range of tens to hundreds of thousands of daltons.
AHCC has been studied for safety in human trials
[7]
as well as safety with conventional
chemotherapy.
[8]
Safety studies have been conducted according to GLP standards. The LD50 according to tests with
SD rats is >12,500 mg/kg by oral administration. Toxic activity was not seen even in intra-peritoneal
administration of AHCC: Male: LD50 =8,490 mg/kg, estimated intraperitoneal fatal dose
=7,430 mg/kg Female: LD50 =9,849 mg/kg and estimated fatal dose =8,340 mg/kg
AHCC is widely used in J apan and China. AHCC is used to protect the immune system of cancer
patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation in over 700 clinics and hospitals in J apan alone. It is
available to the general public in J apan and China without a prescription and many people use it for
general health maintenance and treatment of acute infections. Its legal status is that of a functional
food. Research on AHCC has been carried out in J apan, China, Korea, Thailand, Spain and the
United States. Results of research show that AHCC may work in the prevention and treatment of
numerous diseases.
[9]
In J apan, AHCC is the 2nd most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer
patients. Agaricus blazei supplements are the most popular, outpacing AHCC use by a factor of
7:1.
[10]
[edit]
AHCC Active Hexose Correlated Compound
[edit]
Manufacturing process
[edit]
Chemical composition
[edit]
Safety of AHCC
[edit]
Role of AHCC as a supplemental alternative medicine
[edit]
AHCC and cell-mediated immunity
Active Hexose Correlated Compound - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Hexose_Correlated_Compound[1/18/2013 8:27:43 AM]
AHCC stimulates cell-mediated immunity by activating the white blood cells, particularly natural killer
cells (NK cells) and macrophages, which directly attack abnormal cells, virus-infected cells or
external viral and bacterial pathogens that enter the body.
[11]
Some research shows that the fundamental mechanism of how AHCC activates immunity is by
means of stimulating the number of dendritic cells. Dendritic cells capture and process antigens
(disease-causing proteins) and carry them to the lymphoid organs, such as the spleen and lymph
nodes, and secrete cytokines to induce an immune response. B cells and T cells (B and T
lymphocytes) are the mediators of immunity, but their function is under the control of dendritic cells.
AHCC clearly stimulated an increase in the number of dendritic cells compared to a placebo group.
The stimulatory activity of the dendritic cells was also increased. These results strongly suggest that
AHCC is useful in increasing immune competence.
[12]
AHCC also protects the thymus gland,
[13]
improves the immune systems ability to recognize tumors,
[14]
and strengthens cellular immunity in
healthy human volunteers.
[15]
There have been reports of tumor reduction and even cures of cancer using Reishi mushrooms and
Chinese herbs. It has been observed that these traditional remedies may work by up-regulation of the
immune system.
[16]
A study published in the J ournal of Hepatology compared the outcomes of 113 post-operative liver
cancer patients taking AHCC with 156 patients in the control group. The results showed the rate of
recurrence of malignant tumors was significantly lower (34% versus 66%) and patient survival was
significantly higher in the AHCC group (80% vs. 52%). The level of speculation was low because
actual survival figures were recorded and the patients had all been carefully observed internally at
the time of surgery with photographs of tumors and lesions.
[17]
In J apan, AHCC is the 2nd most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer
patients. Agaricus blazei supplements are the most popular, outpacing AHCC use by a factor of
7:1.
[10]
Patients at Kansai Medical University in Osaka, J apan, who were treated for pancreatic or biliary tract
cancer with gemcitabine were given AHCC and compared to a control group. The AHCC group
showed no differences in leukocyte counts, platelet counts or liver function, but there was a
significant difference in hemoglobin levels, thus preventing anemia, and c-reactive protein levels
indicating an anti-inflammatory response.
[18]
Another study that showed improvement of quality of life with cancer patients was carried out in
China. There was an 84% improvement in the quality of life in 100 patients undergoing treatment for
a variety of types of cancer with chemotherapy and radiation measured according to indices such as
side effects, and mood. There was no obvious improvement in 16%.
[19]
Numerous doctors in J apan have reported no loss of hair (alopecia) during radiation and
chemotherapy in cancer patients taking AHCC.
[citation needed]
In a study with mice published in the
J apanese J ournal of Cancer Research, a chemotherapy drug (cytosine arabinoside) was used to
induce hair loss in rats. The rats who also received AHCC had a significantly lower rate and less
severity of hair loss.
[20]
Animal research suggests AHCC can help prevent influenza
[21]
and the West Nile virus.
[22]
[edit]
AHCC and cancer
[edit]
Improves quality of life for cancer patients
[edit]
AHCC and viral infections
Active Hexose Correlated Compound - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Hexose_Correlated_Compound[1/18/2013 8:27:43 AM]
A study on avian flu was conducted at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the South China
Agricultural University. The H5N1 virus was administered nasally to two groups of mice, one group
pre-treated with AHCC. The death rate was recorded from 14 days after infection and the post-
infection survival rates were compared between the two groups. All mice in the untreated control
group were dead by the 11th day post-infection. In the AHCC-treated group 20% of the mice were
still alive 21 days post-infection. In the control group 50% were dead at the end of 8 days. In the
AHCC group the 50% mark was the 11th day. AHCC significantly raised the survival rate, and even
after re-infection with the virus on the 21st and 28th days after treatment the survival rate stayed at
20-30%.
[23]
Oxidative stress can cause tissue damage by creating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and accelerate
the aging process. A study at Dokkyo University School of Medicine showed that AHCC protects rats
from oxidative damaged caused by a powerful oxidant used in research to induce oxidative stress
and ROS called Ferric nitrilotriacetate. This chemical can cause cancer and damage various organs,
especially the kidney and liver. Pre-treatment with AHCC showed protective effects with (1)
significantly lower urinary 8-OHdG: a marker of oxidative stress to DNA and a risk factor for cancer,
atherosclerosis and diabetes; (2) a normalized level of creatinine, a marker of kidney damage; (3)
significantly lower levels of serum AST and ALT, markers of liver damage; (4) and much lower level
of thymic apoptosis, a marker for loss of immunity. These results suggest a wide-ranging, high level
of protection from oxidative stress.
[24]
The antioxidant property of AHCC protected thyroid and
testosterone production from being lowered by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in another study using
ferric nitrilotriacetate (FNT).
[25]
AHCC also has measurable anti-inflammatory properties. A study carried out in Thailand with liver
cancer patients used C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of inflammation. Inflammation drives the
cancer process, and hepatitis is well known to be a precursor of liver cancer. Thailand has the
highest rate of liver cancer in the world. Terminal liver cancer patients were given 3 grams a day of
AHCC. After 6 months of taking AHCC, liver function tests returned to normal. The levels of CRP also
returned to normal and rose again if the AHCC dosage was stopped in all 28 of the tested patients.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is high when there is hepatitis and other infections, inflammatory bowel
disease, pancreatitis and some cancers. There is a strong relationship between circulating CRP with
heart attacks and strokes. It is possible that the anti-inflammatory properties of AHCC can prevent
disorders caused by an unresolved inflammatory process.
[26]
Animal studies show the potential of AHCC to prevent opportunistic infections in chronically ill or
hospitalized patients. Opportunistic infections occur in weakened patients: patients who are immune
compromised, patients who are traumatized or enfeebled by chronic disease. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a well-known example. MRSA runs rampant in many hospitals.
Klebsiella pneumoniae is also a problem in hospitals particularly in weak and compromised patients.
Neither of these infections is responsive to treatment with antibiotics. The key factor that leads to
opportunistic infections is a loss of immunity rather than an exposure to a disease-causing germ.
J apanese researchers at Teikyo University investigated the potential of AHCC to prevent
opportunistic infections.
They chose to research infections from Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which
cause staphylococcal skin infections. These infections generally start as small red bumps, boils or
spider bites. They can quickly deteriorate into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining.
Sometimes the bacteria can penetrate into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in
bones, joints, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs. Another opportunistic infection included in the
study was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause urinary tract infections, pneumonia, chronic
lung infections, skin, heart and joint infections. Mice were pre-treated with a chemotherapy drug to
[edit]
AHCC and prevention
Active Hexose Correlated Compound - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Hexose_Correlated_Compound[1/18/2013 8:27:43 AM]
lower their resistance and white cell counts. Then high doses of Candida albicans were inoculated
into the abdomen. Within 7 days the entire control group died of infection. A group that was given
AHCC for four days from the day the drug was administered prevented the death of most of the
mice. Even after 28 days, 80% were alive.
[27]
Using the same model testing mice with impaired immunity because of the effect of the
chemotherapy drug lowering resistance and the white cell count, the researchers investigated the
protective effect of AHCC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Within 3 days all of the controls
were dead. In the AHCC-treated group, 6 out of 8 were still alive after 14 days. The effects on
MRSA were less pronounced. Half on the mice in the control group were dead 6 days after
inoculation with MRSA and almost all of them dead by the 28th day. There was a significant
extension of longevity in the mice treated with a high dose of AHCC injected directly into the
abdomen, but there was no significant effect from taking AHCC orally. The research team was not
willing to speculate on the mechanism of action of AHCC in its preventive effect on infections, but
their conclusion was that AHCC is able to protect patients with lowered immunity from fungal and
bacterial opportunistic infections.
[28]
Agaricus blazei mushroom
Medicinal mushrooms
Shiitake
Smith J E, Rowan NJ , Sullivan R Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Therapeutic Properties and Current
Medical Usage with Special Emphasis on Cancer Treatments Cancer Research UK, 2001
1. ^ Spierings, EL; Fujii, H; Sun, B; Walshe, T (2007). "A Phase I study of the safety of the nutritional
supplement, active hexose correlated compound, AHCC, in healthy volunteers". J Nutr Sci Vitaminol 53
(6): 536539. doi:10.3177/jnsv.53.536 . PMID 18202543 .
2. ^ AHCC Research Association. Summary Book. AHCC Research. [1] , J uly 24, 2009.
3. ^ Shinil K. Shah, Peter A. Walker, Stacey D. Moore-Olufemi, et al. (J uly 2011). "An Evidence-Based
Review of a Lentinula edodes Mushroom Extract as Complementary Therapy in the Surgical Oncology
Patient" . J Parenter Enteral Nutr 35 (4): 449-458. doi:10.1177/0148607110380684 .FREE TEXT
4. ^ Matsui Y, Uhara J , Satoi S, Kaibori M, Yamada H, Kitade H, Imamura A, Takai S, Kawaguchi Y, Kwon
A, Kamiyama Y (2002). "Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when
treated with functional foods: a prospective cohort study". J Hepatol 37 (1): 7886. doi:10.1016/S0168-
8278(02)00091-0 . PMID 12076865 .
5. ^ Terakawa, N; Matsui, Y; Satoi, S; Yanagimoto, H; Takahashi, K; Yamamoto, T; Yamao, J ; Takai, S et
al. (2008). "Immunological effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) in healthy volunteers: a
double-blind, placebo-controlled study". Nutr Cancer 60 (5): 643651.
doi:10.1080/01635580801993280 . PMID 18791928 .
6. ^ Fujii H, Nakagawa T: Novel substance having physiological activity, process for producing the same,
and use, U.S. Patent Application Publication, Mar 6, 2003.
7. ^ Spierings, EL; Fujii, H; Sun, B; Walshe, T (2007). "A Phase I study of the safety of the nutritional
supplement, active hexose correlated compound, AHCC, in healthy volunteers.". Journal of nutritional
science and vitaminology 53 (6): 5369. doi:10.3177/jnsv.53.536 . PMID 18202543 .
8. ^ Mach C, Fujii H, Wakame K, Smith J , Evaluation of Active Hexose Correlated Compound Hepatic
Metabolism and Potential for Drug Interactions with Chemotherapy Agents, J Soc Integrat Oncol 6(3):
105-109, 2008
9. ^ Pescatore Fred, The Science of AHCC, Laguna Beach, CA, 2009.
10. ^
a

b
Hyodo I, Amano N, Eguchi K (April 2005). "Nationwide survey on complementary and alternative
medicine in cancer patients in J apan". Journal of Clinical Oncology 23 (12): 264554.
doi:10.1200/J CO.2005.04.126 . PMID 15728227 .
[edit]
See also
[edit]
References
Active Hexose Correlated Compound - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Hexose_Correlated_Compound[1/18/2013 8:27:43 AM]
11. ^ Ghoneum M, et al, Enhancement of NK cell activity in cancer patients by Active Hemicellulose
Compound (AHCC) - Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma Nov. 6-7,
1992
12. ^ Terakawa, N; Matsui, Y; Satoi, S; Yanagimoto, H; Takahashi, K; Yamamoto, T; Yamao, J ; Takai, S et
al. (2008). "Immunological effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) in healthy volunteers: a
double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.". Nutrition and cancer 60 (5): 64351.
doi:10.1080/01635580801993280 . PMID 18791928 .
13. ^ Burikhanov R, Wakame K, Igarashi Y, Wang S, Matsuzaki S, Suppressive effect of Active Hexose
Correlated Compound on Thymic apoptosis induced by dexamethasone in the rat, Endocrine Res 34:
181 188, 2000
14. ^ Gao Y, Zhang D, Sun BX, Fujii H, Kosuna K, Yin Z, Active Hexose Correlated Compound enhances
tumor surveillance through regulating both innate and adaptive immune responses, Cancer Immunol
Immunother 55(10): 1258-1266, 2006.
15. ^ Yin Z, Fujii H, Walshe T, Determining the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing IFN- and
TNF- in healthy elderly people using flow cytometry before and after active Hexose correlated
compound intake.
16. ^ Wasser S, Weis A, Therapeutic effects of substances occurring in higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms:
a modern perspective, Crit Rev Immunol 19: 65-96, 1999.
17. ^ Matsui Y, Uhara J , Satoi S, Kaibori M, Yamada H, Kitade H, Imamura A, Takai S, Kawaguchi Y, Kwon
A, Kamiyama Y, Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when treated
with functional foods: a prospective cohort study, J Hepatology 37(1): 78-86, 2002
18. ^ Yanagimoto H, Yamamoto T, Satoi S, Toyokawa H, Yamao J , Kato E, Matsui Y, Kwon A, Alleviating
function of health food (AHCC) for side effects in chemotherapy patients, 16th International Symposium
of the AHCC Research Association, 2008
19. ^ Tang J , Du L, Wang T, Song D, Report on a follow-up investigation in cancer patients using AHCC in
China, 9th International Symposium of the AHCC Research Association, 2001.
20. ^ Mukoda T, Sun B, Kosuna K, "Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) protects against cytosine
arabinoside induced alopecia in the newborn rat animal model," J apanese J ournal of Cancer Research
89: 2405, AHCC: Research and Commentary, 2009.
21. ^ Ritz B, Nogusa S, Ackerman E, Gardner E, Supplementation with Active Hexose Correlated
Compound increases the innate immune response of young mice to primary influenza infection Nutr
Immunol 136: 2868-2873, 2006.
22. ^ Wang T, Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) enhances host resistance to West Nile
encephalitis, 15th International Symposium of the AHCC Research Association, J uly 21 22, Sapporo,
J apan, submitted for publication in the J apanese J ournal of Nutrition.
23. ^ Fujii H, Nishioka H, Wakame K, Sun BX, Nutritional food Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC)
enhances resistance against bird flu, J apanese J Comp Alt Med 1(4): 37-39 (2007).
24. ^ Ye S, Ichimura K, Wakame K, Ohe M, Suppressive effects of active hexose correlated compound on
the increased activity of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase induced by oxidative stress, Life Sci
74(5): 693-602, 2003.
25. ^ Ye S, Wakame K, Ichimura K, Kosuna K, Matsuzaki S, Amelioration of AHCC of endocrine
disturbances induced by oxidative stress in the rat, Dokkyo School of Medicine, 11th International
Symposium of the AHCC Research Association, 2003.
26. ^ Srivatanakul P, Study on chemoprevention of Active Hexose Correlated Compound in high risk group
for liver cancer development, 11th International Symposium of the AHCC Research Association, 2003.
27. ^ Ishibashi H, Ikeda T, Tansho S, et al, Prophylactic efficacy of basidiomycetes preparation AHCC
against lethal opportunistic infection in mice, J Pharmacol (J apan) 120(8): 715-719, 2000.
28. ^ Abe S, Ishibashi H, Ikeda T, Tansho S, Yamaguchi H, AHCC in prevention of opportunistic infections,
AHCC: Research and Commentary,2009.
Amino Up Chemical Co.,Ltd.
AHCC Research Association
AHCC Nutrients Phil., Inc.
[edit]
External links
Active Hexose Correlated Compound - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Hexose_Correlated_Compound[1/18/2013 8:27:43 AM]
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