What Is Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC)? Other Names: Basidiomycetes Extract, Composé Corrélé d’Hexose Actif, Extrait de Champignon

What is Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC)?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is a standardized extract derived from the mycelia of Lentinula edodes, commonly known as shiitake mushrooms. It is recognized for its potential health benefits, particularly in modulating the immune system and exhibiting antitumor properties. Other names include: Active Hexose Correlated Compound, AHCC, Basidiomycetes Extract, Composé Corrélé d’Hexose Actif, Compuestos Activos Correlacionados Hexosa, Extrait de Basidiomycètes, Extrait de Champignon, Fungi Extract.

Composition and Mechanism

AHCC is composed of a mixture of polysaccharides, amino acids, and minerals. Its primary active components are alpha-glucans, which are believed to enhance immune function by increasing the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and cytokine production4 9. AHCC has been shown to modulate immune responses, potentially improving the body’s ability to fight infections and cancer3 4.

Health Benefits of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC)

Applications in Cancer Treatment

AHCC has been studied for its potential role in cancer therapy. It has been used as an adjuvant treatment in various cancer types, including breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In breast cancer models, AHCC demonstrated cytotoxic effects and potential interactions with hormonal therapies like letrozole, particularly in patients with specific genetic variants1. In HCC, AHCC has been used post-surgery to prevent recurrence, showing promise in improving survival rates and maintaining immune function without significant adverse effects2 3.

Immune System Modulation

AHCC is known for its immune-modulatory effects. Studies have shown that it can increase the number and function of dendritic cells, enhance NK cell activity, and improve the body’s response to vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine4 9. These properties make AHCC a potential candidate for enhancing immune responses in both healthy individuals and those with compromised immune systems.

Other Health Benefits

Beyond its anticancer and immune-modulatory effects, AHCC has been investigated for its ability to alleviate chemotherapy-related adverse events, such as those experienced by patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma5. It has also been studied for its potential to prevent muscle atrophy in conditions of physical stress, such as hindlimb suspension in rats, by activating specific cellular pathways10.

Safety and Tolerability

AHCC is generally considered safe, with studies reporting no significant toxicity or adverse events in both human and animal models2 5. Its use as a dietary supplement has been well-tolerated, making it a viable option for long-term use in various therapeutic settings.

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Adverse Effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC)

Muscle Pain: In patients undergoing chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian or peritoneal cancer, AHCC was associated with an increase in muscle pain, although it reduced nausea and vomiting3.

Cytotoxicity: In breast cancer models, AHCC showed cytotoxic effects, which suggests potential adverse interactions, particularly with certain genotypes like the COMT variant4.

Liver Enzyme Elevation: In a study on alcohol-induced liver enzyme elevation, AHCC supplementation led to significant changes in liver enzyme levels, indicating a potential impact on liver function5.

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How has Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) Improved Patient Outcomes?

Liver Cancer

AHCC has been found to significantly prolong survival and improve the quality of life in patients with advanced liver cancer. It enhances mental stability, physical health, and normal activity levels. Additionally, AHCC-treated patients showed better liver function and immune parameters compared to controls1.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

In patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC, AHCC was effective in preventing cancer recurrence. It maintained favorable inflammation-based prognostic scores and showed no toxicity or adverse events, suggesting its safety and efficacy as an adjuvant therapy2.

Chemotherapy-Related Adverse Events

AHCC has been shown to alleviate chemotherapy-related adverse events in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, reducing inflammation and maintaining quality of life during treatment3. In ovarian and peritoneal cancer patients, AHCC increased CD8+ T cell levels, although it did not significantly change CD4+ levels or bone marrow suppression rates4.

Immune Function

AHCC supplementation improved immune responses, such as increasing dendritic cell numbers and function, which are crucial for specific immunity8. It also enhanced antibody responses to influenza vaccines, indicating its potential to boost vaccine efficacy9.

Other Conditions

In alcohol-induced liver enzyme elevation, AHCC improved liver enzyme levels and modulated inflammatory cytokines6. In dogs with Leishmania infection, AHCC reduced disease progression and antibody levels, suggesting a preventive effect7.

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Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) Mechanisms of Action

Immune Modulation: AHCC enhances immune responses by increasing the number and function of dendritic cells, which are crucial for initiating immune responses. It also boosts natural killer (NK) cell activity and the proliferative response of T lymphocytes, which are vital for specific immunity6 9.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: AHCC reduces inflammatory markers such as cytokines and nitric oxide, which are involved in inflammation and oxidative stress. This reduction helps in mitigating inflammation-induced damage, such as that seen in LPS-induced gut injury1 2.

Cytotoxic and Antitumor Activity: AHCC has shown cytotoxic effects in cancer models, suggesting its potential role in cancer prevention and treatment. It may also interact with hormonal therapies, such as letrozole, in specific genetic contexts3 4.

Liver Function Improvement: In cases of alcohol-induced liver enzyme elevation, AHCC supplementation has been shown to improve liver enzyme levels and modulate pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, indicating its role in liver health2 5.

Stress and Muscle Atrophy: AHCC can modulate stress responses by affecting sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities. It also helps in preventing muscle atrophy by activating the Akt pathway, which is crucial for muscle maintenance7 8.

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Common Complaints Associated with Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) Use

Gastrointestinal Issues: Some users of AHCC have reported gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea and vomiting. In a study involving patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, nausea and vomiting were significantly decreased in the AHCC group, but muscle pain was reported to increase4.

Muscle Pain: Increased muscle pain was noted in patients receiving AHCC during chemotherapy, suggesting that while it may alleviate some chemotherapy-related side effects, it could also introduce new discomforts4.

No Significant Toxicity: In a study on hepatocellular carcinoma patients, no significant toxicity or adverse events were observed, indicating that AHCC is generally well-tolerated2.

Liver Enzyme Changes: In patients with alcohol-induced liver enzyme elevation, AHCC supplementation was associated with improved liver enzyme levels and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a beneficial effect rather than a complaint6.

Immune Response Modulation: AHCC has been shown to modulate immune responses, such as increasing CD8+ T cell lymphocytes during chemotherapy, which may be beneficial but could also lead to immune-related side effects in some individuals4.

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The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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