Investigation into the Intake of Edible Mushroom <i>Pleurotus ostreatus</i> (Aqueous Extract Oyster Mushroom) on Biochemical Indices of Female Wistar Rats

Pleurotus ostreatus, popularly known as oyster mushroom, has nutraceutical properties that include hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective and hypotensive activities. Aqueous Extract Oyster Mushroom (AEOM) containing lyophilized P. ostreatus reconstituted in 0.9% saline solution was evaluated for its effect on body weight, biochemical indices and pancreas morphometry. Twelve healthy Wistar female rats were assigned to Control and AEOM groups, consisting of rats that received 0.9% saline solution and AEOM (100 mg/kg/day), respectively, administered by oral gavage at 3 mL/kg of body weight for 15 days. The animals had free access to commercial feed and water ad libitum. Blood was obtained by cardiac puncture and serum was used to biochemical determinations. Pancreas was excised, weighed and fixed in 4% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological examination. Initial and final body weights, and absolute and relative weights of pancreas did not differ between the groups. Total cholesterol, HDL-c, albumin and uric acid were lower in the AEOM group compared to the control group. The serum concentration of total proteins, glucose, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine and urea were similar in the groups. Pancreas of rats treated with AEOM exhibited an increase in the size of pancreatic islet. Thus, the use of AEOM is relatively safe at the dose studied and produces hypertrophy of the pancreatic islets without altering glycemic homeostasis.