3-5 Hepatoprotective Effect of AHCC on Injured Liver Cells

It is estimated that there are between one and two million chronic hepatitis patients in Japan.  Viral hepatitis makes up 90% of all cases.  20% are type B and 70% are type C.  Chronic viral hepatitis can progress into liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.  Interferon is a hepatitis treatment option, yet it cannot completely remove the virus, and the patients suffer from extreme side effects including abdominal pain, severe anemia, depression, and anxiety. 

In contrast, AHCC, which is made of fiber, protein, minerals and polysaccharide, has no side effects and has been found to be effective for hepatitis and other liver disorders.  Below are some investigations in which AHCC showed protective effects on liver injury.

1) Basic study

Effect of AHCC on Liver Injury in Mice

The free radicals produced from carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) cause damage to organs, especially the liver. Amino Up Chemical Co. examined AHCC for its protective effects against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in mice.  This study examined the changes indrug-metabolizing enzymes and damage to liver tissue.  Results showed that the enzymes, which are normally down-regulated by CCl₄ during phase II drug-metabolism (GST, UDP-GT), were enhanced when pre-treated with AHCC.  Also, the liver tissue destruction was minimized and actually improved. The drug-metabolizing enzyme effects of CCl₄ induced injury are most likely related to the AHCC’s hepatoprotective effects.

（Natural Medicines, 1997, 51 (4), 310-315）

Effect Of AHCC on Acute Liver Injury in Mice

Galactosamine (GalN) can induce acute liver injury in mice and its administration in large doses can result in fatality.  Dr. Yamazaki et al. investigated the preventive effect of AHCC on the hepatitis induced by GalN.  In a 24 hours period, the group of mice receiving both GalN and AHCC all survived while three of ten mice died in the group receiving no AHCC.  The AHCC co-administration inhibited the sGPT, and sGOT increase significantly.  These results suggest that AHCC protects the liver from the toxicity of drugs and might improve hepatic dysfunction.

（The 4th Symposium of AHCC Research Association, June 1997）

Other Effects

AHCC has many other protective effects on the liver including the ability to protect against injury induced by alcohol or anti-cancer drugs.  Clinical trials show that AHCC treatment improves liver hypertrophy caused by alcohol intake, prevents serum albumin abnormality, improves triglyceride levels, and enhances the activities of liver drug-metabolism enzymes from anticancer drug treatment.

（The 4th Symposium of AHCC Research Association, June 1997）

2) Clinical Study

Effect of AHCC on Chronic Viral Hepatitis Patients

Chronic viral hepatitis and low platelet count can progress into liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.  AHCC administration can prevent this deterioration and progression. Dr. Iwamoto et al observed many hepatitis patients who were given AHCC.

【Case１】  Hepatitis Type B patient given 3 g/day.  After AHCC treatment, HBe antigen levels (cello-conversion) became markedly low while antibody levels became markedly high.  Furthermore, GOT and GPT were maintained at normal levels from May 1999 to July 2000.  AHCC destroyed the hepatitis virus by enhancing immune activity.

【Case ２】Hepatitis type C patient.  Before the start of the AHCC treatment, platelet value was in the range of 170,000 /L, and its mean value from March to May 2000 was 154,000 /L showing a continuous progression into chronic liver cirrhosis.  Three months after AHCC treatment, the average value of GOT was 62.7±11.8 IU/mL.  It then decreased to a normal value of 43 IU/mL after 4 – 6 months.  At the same time, GPT also adjusted to normal range.  

At the start of treatment, AFP - a tumor marker, showed 1,380 ng/mL, which exceeded standard value of 20 ng/mL.  After 2 months, it decreased to 800 ng/mL and kept constant.  In this case, AHCC prevented the development of liver cirrhosis by stabilizing the platelet count and decreasing and stabilizing AFP values.

(The 8th International Symposium of AHCC Research Association, Aug. 2000)

Effects of AHCC on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Dr. Kamiyama et al. reported that AHCC had the ability to decrease the viral load of hepatocellular carcinoma patients (HCV-RNA) over time.

（34th Annual Meeting of Liver Cancer Study Group, Oct. 1998）. 

In conclusion, the administration of AHCC was critical in stopping the progression of hepatitis and cirrhosis, and in increase survival rates of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

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