Gut bacterial and fungal dysbiosis in tuberculosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have more focused on gut microbial alteration in tuberculosis (TB) patients. However, no detailed study on gut fungi modification has been reported till now. So, current research explores the characteristics of gut microbiota (bacteria)- and mycobiota (fungi)-dysbiosis in TB patients and also assesses the correlation between the gut microbiome and serum cytokines. It may help to screen the potential diagnostic biomarker for TB. RESULTS: The results show that the alpha diversity of the gut microbiome (including bacteria and fungi) decreased and altered the gut microbiome composition of TB patients. The bacterial genera Bacteroides and Prevotella were significantly increased, and Blautia and Bifidobacterium decreased in the TB patients group. The fungi genus Saccharomyces was increased while decreased levels of Aspergillus in TB patients. It indicates that gut microbial equilibrium between bacteria and fungi has been altered in TB patients. The fungal-to-bacterial species ratio was significantly decreased, and the bacterial-fungal trans-kingdom interactions have been reduced in TB patients. A set model including Bacteroides, Blautia, Eubacterium_hallii_group, Apiotrichum, Penicillium, and Saccharomyces may provide a better TB diagnostics option than using single bacterial or fungi sets. Also, gut microbial dysbiosis has a strong correlation with the alteration of IL-17 and IFN-γ. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that TB patients exhibit the gut bacterial and fungal dysbiosis. In the clinics, some gut microbes may be considered as potential biomarkers for auxiliary TB diagnosis.

Alcohol-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis enhances the colonization of Klebsiella pneumoniae on the mouse intestinal tract.

Chronic alcohol consumption, an important risk factor for diseases and deaths, can cause intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and increase the infection of some opportunistic pathogens. However, the current studies on the effects of alcohol-induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis on gut colonization of Klebsiella pneumoniae are still scarce. In the present study, we established a binge-on-chronic alcohol model in mice to identify the characteristics of alcohol-induced intestinal microbiome and metabolite dysbiosis using multi-omics and explored the effects and potential mechanisms of these dysbioses on the intestinal colonization of K. pneumoniae. The results show that chronic alcohol consumption alters the diversity and composition of gut microbiota (including bacteria and fungi), decreases the complexity of the interaction between intestinal bacteria and fungi, disturbs the gut metabolites, and promotes the colonization of K. pneumoniae on the gut of mice. The relevance analyses find that alcohol-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis has a strong correlation with the alteration of secondary bile acids. In vitro results suggest that the high concentration of lithocholic acid, a secondary bile acid, could significantly inhibit the proliferation of K. pneumoniae, and the adhesion of K. pneumoniae to Caco-2 cells. Our results indicate that alcohol-induced microbiome dysbiosis contributes to decreased levels of secondary bile acids, which was one of the main reasons affecting the colonization of K. pneumoniae in mice's intestines. Some secondary bile acids (e.g., lithocholic acid) might be a potential drug to prevent the colonization and spread of K. pneumoniae.IMPORTANCEAlcohol is one of the most commonly misused substances in our lives. However, long-term heavy drinking will increase the colonization of some opportunistic pathogens (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae) in the body. Here, we revealed that binge-on-chronic alcohol consumption disrupted the balance between gut bacteria and fungi, induced the gut microbiome and metabolites dysbiosis, and promoted the colonization of K. pneumoniae in the intestine of mice. In particular, alcohol-taking disrupted intestinal bile acid metabolism and reduced the lithocholic acid concentration. However, a high concentration of lithocholic acid can protect against intestinal colonization of K. pneumoniae by inhabiting the bacterial growth and adhesion to the host cell. Hence, regulating the balance of gut microbiota and intestinal bile acid metabolism may be a potential strategy for reducing the risk of K. pneumoniae infection and spread.

The Biological and Regulatory Role of Type VI Secretion System of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Bacteria communicate with their surroundings through diverse secretory systems, and the recently discovered Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) has gained significant attention. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), an opportunistic pathogen known for causing severe infections in both hospital and animal settings, possesses this intriguing T6SS. This system equips K. pneumoniae with a formidable armory of protein-based weaponry, enabling the delivery of toxins into neighboring cells, thus granting a substantial competitive advantage. Remarkably, the T6SS has also been associated with K. pneumoniae's ability to form biofilms and acquire resistance against antibiotics. However, the precise effects of the T6SS on K. pneumoniae's functions remain inadequately studied, despite research efforts to understand the intricacies of these mechanisms. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of the T6SS in K. pneumoniae.

Intestinal microbiome dysbiosis in alcohol-dependent patients and its effect on rat behaviors.

IMPORTANCE: Intestinal microbiome dysbiosis is associated with psychiatric disease through the "microbiota-gut-brain" axis. Here, we revealed that there was obvious intestinal microbiome (including bacterial and fungal) dysbiosis in alcohol-dependent patients. Alcohol consumption seriously disturbs the gut equilibrium between bacteria and fungi, reduces the interactions among bacterial-fungal trans-kingdom, and increases intestinal permeability. Gut microbiota should be considered as a whole to study the development of alcohol dependence. The gut microbiome of alcohol-dependent patients increased the anxiety- and depression-like behavior in rats. The gut microbiota dysbiosis may promote the development of alcohol dependence by regulating the endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) and related receptors. Hence, regulating the balance of gut microbiota and the endogenous CCK may be a potential strategy for reducing the risk of relapse in alcohol addiction patients.

Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide alleviates diabetic symptoms by regulating gut microbiota against TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

The relationship between gut microbiota and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has attracted increasing attention. In our work, one purified fraction a (AEPSa) was obtained from Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides, and its hypoglycemic activity and underlying mechanisms were investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)- and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2DM mice. The results revealed that AEPSa reshaped gut microbiota by increasing Allobaculum, Alistipes, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and norank_f_Muribaculaceae and decreasing Enterococcus and Ruminococcus_torques_group to inhibit the colonic toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway and upregulate intestinal tight junction protein expression, thereby improving glucose and serum lipid metabolism, hormone secretion and complications. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) also confirmed these findings. These results indicated that symptomatic relief of T2DM might be related to AEPSa regulating the gut microbiota against the TLR4/NF-κB pathway to protect the intestinal barrier. Therefore, AEPSa might be developed as a prebiotic agent against T2DM by regulating gut microbiota.

Coprinus comatus polysaccharides ameliorated carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis through modulating inflammation and apoptosis.

Liver fibrosis is a serious global public health problem, owing to a lack of effective treatment. Coprinus comatus polysaccharides (CP), isolated from C. comatus, possess multiple biological activities. In our work, water-soluble polysaccharides (CPa) from CP were obtained by column chromatography. We attempted to investigate the anti-liver fibrosis ability of CPa and the underlying mechanisms of its activity against liver fibrosis in vivo and in vitro, as well as its structure. In vivo results showed that CPa reduced the release of inflammatory factors and apoptosis by modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, Bcl-2/Bax and caspase family signaling pathways, thereby attenuating serum enzymes, ROS, α-SMA, collagen III, TGFß1, p-Smad3, and collagen volume fraction, and increasing the defense capacity of the antioxidant defense system in tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis mice. The in vitro result was used to verify that, in vivo, CPa regulated the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, Bcl-2/Bax and caspase family signaling pathways to prevent the activation of HSCs and accelerate HSCs apoptosis in activated LX-2 cells. Thus, CPa could attenuate liver fibrosis by mediating inflammation and apoptosis. Meantime, the structural analysis showed that CPa is a polysaccharide with α- and ß-configurations including Fuc, Man, Gal and Glc with a Mw of 524 kDa. These findings indicate that CPa could be developed into functional foods and drugs against liver fibrosis.

Molecular Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Sputum in a Tertiary Hospital in Xinxiang, China.

Background: In clinical practice, Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a common opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial infection. This study aimed to analyze the trend of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulent characteristics of K. pneumoniae isolated from sputum. In clinics, data of the current study will help in the clinical treatment of K. pneumoniae infection. Results: The current research showed the resistance rates of the 20 K. pneumoniae isolates against 13 antibiotics ranged from 15.0% to 80.0%. The detection rate of extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) was up to 55%, while blaSHV was the most prevalent ESBLs genes. Four strains (25.0%) of K. pneumoniae presented hypermucoviscous phenotype (HMV). Moreover, 18 strains (90.0%) showed the stronger biofilm-forming ability. wzi, wabG, fimH, mrkD were the most prevalent virulence genes in current research. Ten strains were found capsule typing and the higher genetic diversity of colonizing K. pneumoniae in this region. K19 exhibited a strong positive correlation with imipenem resistance, while K1 showed strong correlations with magA . Furthermore, HMV phenotype showed significantly negative correlations with multidrug-resistant. Conclusion: In the hospital, the antibiotic resistance of K. pneumoniae (isolated from sputum samples) has a serious concern. Additionally, strains of K. pneumoniae show the higher genetic diversity.

Left Atrial Appendage Mechanical Dispersion Assessed by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography as a Determinant of Left Atrial Appendage Blood Stasis in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Aims: We sought to investigate the relationship of left atrial appendage (LAA) mechanical dispersion (MD) with LAA dense spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) or thrombus, and to compare its usefulness in the identification of thrombogenesis with left atrial (LA) MD or LA/LAA strain parameters in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 493 consecutive patients with AF [65(58.5-71.0) years, male 66.9%] who underwent echocardiography prior to catheter ablation. We measured the LAA and LA global longitudinal strain (GLS) using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). LAA MD and LA MD was defined as the standard deviation (SD) of time to peak positive strain corrected by the R-R interval. Results: Patients with LAA dense SEC/thrombus (n = 70) had significantly higher LAA MD than controls (n = 423) [median 14.2(11.6-16.8)% vs 9.4(6.2-12.1)%, p < 0.01]. Multivariable analysis showed that LAA MD was independently associated with LAA dense SEC/thrombus in four different models (Odds ratio, 1.23-1.24; p < 0.01), and provided additional diagnostic value over clinical and standard echocardiographic parameters. Whereas, LA MD was not independently associated with LAA dense SEC/thrombus and had no incremental value over other LA/LAA mechanical parameters. Conclusion: LAA mechanical dispersion was an independent determinant of LAA dense SEC/thrombus in AF patients, incremental to conventional risk factors and superior to LA mechanical dispersion.

Liver and Brain Protective Effect of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Residue of Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Agaricomycetes), on D-Galactose-Induced Aging Mice.

This work describes the preparation of sulfated Hericium erinaceus residue polysaccharides (SHRPs) and investigates their antioxidant and antiaging effects on D-galactose-induced aging mice. The results indicated that the degree of SO42- substitution was 0.47 ± 0.22 for SHRPs. In vitro analysis and in vivo animal experiments manifested that SHRPs could alleviate aging properties by scavenging radicals, elevating enzyme activities, and reducing malondialde-hyde content, thus improving serum biochemical indices and enhancing immunological activity. Liver and brain injuries of mice could be remitted by SHRP interventions. Structural characteristics of SHRPs in this work were elucidated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the results suggest that SHRPs could be used as an effective dietary supplement and functional food for prevention of aging and age-related diseases.

Long Noncoding RNA DANCR Suppressed Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Septic Acute Kidney Injury by Regulating miR-214 in HK-2 Cells.

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most important causes of death in sepsis patients. Here, we first measured the level of DANCR (differentiation antagonizing nonprotein coding RNA) expression in AKI, and the potential mechanism was further elucidated. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used qRT-PCR to examine the level of DANCR in patient blood serum samples and in HK-2 cells. In addition, DANCR overexpression was established using lentiviral transfection in HK-2 cells. Subsequently, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry were applied to evaluate the role of DANCR in HK-2 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot and recovery experiments were performed to elucidate the further mechanism. RESULTS We found that DANCR was decreased in the serum of AKI patients and HK-2 cells treated with LPS. Additionally, DANCR promoted cell viability and suppressed cell apoptosis and cytokine production in LPS-treated HK-2 cells. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DANCR served as a sponge for miR-214. Furthermore, DANCR inhibited the expression of Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that AKI development could be alleviated by sponging miR-214 and regulating KLF6 expression, which provides a novel potential mechanism involved in the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis-induced AKI patients.

Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Activities of Acid-Depolymerised Exopolysaccharides by Termitomyces albuminosus.

The acid-depolymerised exopolysaccharides (ADES) of Termitomyces albuminosus were obtained, and the major fraction of ADES1 was isolated and purified by DEAE-52 cellulose anion-exchange column chromatography. Physicochemical characterizations showed that ADES1 was an α- and a ß-configuration with the molecular weight of 2.43 kDa, containing (1→3, 4)-linked-Glcp, (1→4)-linked-D-Glcp, (1→3)-linked-D-Xylp, (1→4)-linked-D-Manp, T-Glcp, (1→6)-linked-D-Galp, and (1→4)-linked-L-Arap. The in vivo assays showed that ADES1 could reduce lipid levels in the serum and liver, decrease serum enzyme activities, and improve antioxidant enzyme activities and p-AMPKα expressions in hyperlipidemic mice, which were also confirmed by histopathological observations. These data indicated that ADES1 might be considered as a novel substance to treat and prevent hyperlipidemia and as a hepatoprotective agent.

Mycelium Polysaccharides from Termitomyces albuminosus Attenuate CCl4-Induced Chronic Liver Injury Via Inhibiting TGFß1/Smad3 and NF-κB Signal Pathways.

A major fraction (MPT-W), eluted by deionized water, was extracted from mycelium polysaccharides of Termitomyces albuminosus (MPT), and its antioxidant, anti-fibrosis, and anti-inflammatory activities in CCl4-induced chronic liver injury mice, as well as preliminary characterizations, were evaluated. The results showed that MPT-W was a polysaccharide of α- and ß-configurations containing xylose (Xyl), fucose (Fuc), mannose (Man), galactose (Gal), and glucose (Glc) with a molar ratio of 0.29:8.67:37.89:35.98:16.60 by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Its molecular weight (Mw), obtained by high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), was 1.30 × 105 Da. The antioxidant assays in vitro showed that MPT-W displayed scavenging free-radical abilities. Based on the data of in vivo experiments, MPT-W could inhibit TGFß1/Smad3 and NF-κB pathways; decrease the level and activity of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1), malonaldehyde (MDA) and serum enzyme; activate the HO-1/Nrf2 pathway; and increase antioxidant enzymes to protect the liver in CCl4-induced chronic liver injury mice. Therefore, MPT-W could be a potentially natural and functional resource contributing to antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects with potential health benefits.

The Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Effects of Acetylated Mycelia Polysaccharides from Pleurotus djamor.

The present work mainly describes the preparation of acetylated mycelia polysaccharides (AMPS) from Pleurotus djamor and investigates the antioxidant and anti-aging effects in d-galactose-induced aging mice. The optimized procedure indicates the acetyl substitution degree of AMPS is 0.54 ± 0.04 under the conditions of a reaction time of 56 h, a reaction temperature of 37 °C, and 4 mL of added acetic anhydride. The in vitro analysis and in vivo animal experiments indicate that the AMPS could alleviate the aging properties by scavenging the radicals, elevating the enzyme activities, and reducing the lipid contents. As for serum levels, the AMPS can improve the serum biochemical indices and enhance immunological activity. The histopathological observations indicate that the injuries to the liver, kidney, and brain can be remitted by AMPS intervention. The characterization showed that AMPS was one kind of ß-pyranose with the weight-average molecular weights of 3.61 × 105 Da and the major monosaccharides of mannose and glucose. The results suggest that AMPS can be used as a dietary supplement and functional food for the prevention of aging and age-related diseases.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of residue polysaccharides by Pleurotus citrinipileatus.

The enzymatic-extraction residue polysaccharide (ERPS) from Pleurotus citrinipileatus was obtained, and its antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects were also investigated. Animal experiments indicated that the ERPS could reduce the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TBIL, MDA and LPO, improve the activities of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT, decrease the inflammatory factor of CYP2E1, TNF-α and IL-6, and enhance the IL-10 levels, showing the potential protections against CCl4-induced injures. ERPS can improve liver fibrosis by reducing the level of pivotal cytokine TGF-ß1. Western blotting results revealed that ERPS relieved the inflammatory response by increasing the I-κBα expressions in the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, the structural characteristics demonstrated that the ERPS was a typical ß-type glycosidic pyranose with the weight-average molecular weight of 1.30 × 105 Da and the monosaccharide composition of Man, Rha, Glc, Gal, Xyl and Ara, GlcUA and GalUA. These results demonstrated that the ERPS might be suitable for functional foods and natural drugs for preventing the acute liver damage.

Anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant and organic protection effects of acidic-extractable polysaccharides from Dictyophora indusiata.

In the present work, we investigated the anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant and organic protection effects of acidic-extractable Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharides (Ac-DPS) on hyperlipidemic mice induced by high-fat emulsion. The results demonstrated that Ac-DPS had impressive abilities to mitigate oxidative stress by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzyme and reducing the contents of lipid peroxide. Moreover, lipid levels in serum were returned to normal status. Besides, Ac-DPS exhibited potential hepatic and renal protection effects reflected by decreasing serum enzyme activities, lowering TBIL, UREA and CREA levels and increasing ALB content. At the same time, histopathological observations proved protective effects of Ac-DPS on organs. Subsequently, the physical properties of polysaccharide were also investigated by HPGPC and FT-IR. The above consequences confirmed the important role of Ac-DPS as a functional food and natural medicine in the fight against oxidative stress and the prevention of hyperlipidemia.

Characterization and anti-hyperlipidemia effects of enzymatic residue polysaccharides from Pleurotus ostreatus.

The aims of this work were to extract the enzymatic residue polysaccharides (EnRPS) from Pleurotus ostreatus and investigate the antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic effects on high-fat-high-cholesterol emulsion (HFHCE)-induced liver injured mice. The results revealed that EnRPS at 400 mg/kg bw showed superior liver protective effects by ameliorating the AI, lowing the hepatic MPO, FFA, ADPN, TC and TG indicators, and improving the antioxidant status by enhancing liver enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, LEP, INS and T-AOC), eliminating the MDA content, decreasing the levels of LDL-C, TC, TG, ALT, AST and ALP, and increasing the HDL-C in serum. And in addition, GC, FTIR, NMR and pathological sections were also studied. The above consequences suggested that EnRPS could be used as functional foods of oxidative stress and anti-hyperlipidemic against liver injury.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of modified polysaccharides from Coprinus comatus in mice with alcohol-induced liver injury.

A modified polysaccharide named MPCC from Coprinus comatus (MPCC) was obtained by the snailase hydrolysis. And the hepatoprotective effects on alcohol-induced liver injury and preliminary structure features were investigated. For in vivo hepatoprotective abilities, MPCC significantly attenuated the hepatic and serum lipid levels, obviously enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, markedly improved alcohol metabolism system and inflammatory response, and mitigated alcohol-induced liver injury histopathologically, providing references for the exploitation of MPCC as functional foods or natural drugs against the alcohol-induced liver injury. Additionally, MPCC containing fucose (Fuc), ribose (Rib), arabinose (Ara), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man), galactose (Gal) and glucose (Glu) with the a α- and ß-configuration in a percentage composition of 0.91%, 0.71%, 0.45%, 1.60%, 2.04%, 4.41% and 89.88% via gas chromatography (GC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis.

Antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of enzymatic and acidic-hydrolysis of Pleurotus geesteranus mycelium polysaccharides on alcoholic liver diseases.

The present work investigated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of acidic- and enzymatic-hydrolysis mycelium polysaccharide (AcMPS and EnMPS) from Pleurotus geesteranus on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) mice. The animal studies demonstrated that the polysaccharides had potential effects reflected by remitting alcoholic hepatitis, reducing lipid accumulation, preventing oxidative stress, improving inflammatory symptoms, and alleviating the liver functions by histopathologic observation. Results showed that AcMPS (yield of 84%) was composed of L-Rha, D-Rib, L-Ara, D-Glc, D-Man and D-Gal with the Mw of 3.49 × 104 Da, while EnMPS (yield of 90%) was contained L-Rha, L-Ara, D-Gal and D-Glc with the Mw of 3.67 × 104 Da. Furthermore, the GC-MS analysis indicated that both AcMPS and EnMPS were ß-pyranoside polysaccharides with the (1→3)- and (1→6)-linkages. The conclusions indicated that AcMPS and EnMPS could be used as natural drugs for preventing the ALD, and providing underlying hepatoprotective mechanisms, pharmaceutically.

The antioxidant activities of alkalic-extractable polysaccharides from Coprinus comatus on alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.

The aim of this work was to provide a preliminary characterization of alkalic-extractable polysaccharides (ALPS) from Coprinus comatus, to explore its in vivo antioxidant activities and protective effects on alcohol-induced liver injury. ALPS showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities and markedly low serum enzyme activities, hepatic and serum lipid levels, as well as low hepatic lipid peroxidation levels; moreover, ALPS improved the alcohol metabolism system. These results were also confirmed by an analysis of histopathological section observations. ALPS, in both α- and ß-configurations, as analysed by fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), was mainly composed of rhamnose (Rha), fucose (Fuc), ribose (Rib), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man), galactose (Gal) and glucose (Glu) with mass percentages of 0.52%, 1.02%, 0.80%, 0.92%, 3.05%, 2.96% and 90.73%, respectively. These results may offer support for the use of ALPS as a functional food or natural drug source that can prevent and treat alcohol-induced liver injury.

Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of exopolysaccharides isolated from Pleurotus geesteranus on alcohol-induced liver injury.

The present work investigated the hepatoprotective role of exopolysaccharides (EPS) isolated from the mushroom Pleurotus geesteranus with respect to alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. Based on a physico-chemical analysis, the EPS produced by Pleurotus geesteranus was identified as a heteropolysaccharide with α-glycosidic bond. The results revealed that prophylactic application of the EPS reduces detrimental alcoholic effects on the liver. This observation was followed by decreased levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, CYP2E1 and pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, COX-2, NO and iNOS) in the liver homogenates, suggesting that the EPS exhibits anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. Moreover, the increased activity of hepatic enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and reduced lipid peroxidation status indicated that the antioxidative effect of the EPS contributes to alleviation of liver injury. Therefore, this study reports that the EPS produced by Pleurotus geesteranus could be considered a potential natural drug or functional food supplement for the prevention of liver damage.