RADIO PROTECTIVE EFFECT
Summary (Suzuka University of Medical Science Graduate School of Health and Welfare Studies, July 17, 2005)

Upon receiving radiation oxidation occurs in vivo causing degradation of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids giving rise to tissue damage at a cellular level. Damaged cells are prone to become cancerous.

Taking Chaga during radiation therapy yielded a protection of cells. It was confirmed in the study that Chaga helped in restricting the suppression of Helper T- cells, Killer T-cells, and Suppressor T-cells in the blood stream.

The most serious side effect to radiation therapy is the decline of peripheral blood cells starting from immature cell division stage to mature cells. It has been confirmed that lymphopenia occurs from radiation of 0.25Gy*1. These lymphocytes are most sensitive in mammalian cells, and cellular destruction takes place even for short periods during irradiation. Chaga contains antioxidants such as flavonoids, which has “free radical cleansing effect”. This effect suppresses lymphopenia.

White blood cells are the leading role of the immune function. Radiation therapy lowers immunity while increasing life-threatening infections as a direct cause of death.

Hematopoietic recovery effect of β-glucan, and enhancement of infection protective effect not only prevents radiation-related complications, but also very effective for the treatment and the recovery. β-glucan-rich Chaga suppresses leukopenia, and reduces the side effects of patients during radiation therapy. In addition, the black pigment of Chaga, melanin, has a powerful antioxidant and gene-protective effects. It has been reported (Babitstkaia) that it could be used for developing anticancer drugs.

*1 0.25Gy: Gy (gray) is almost the same unit as sv (sievert).
Clinical symptoms are not seen in 0.25Gy, but damage is occurring.
0.5Gy clearly exhibits a temporary lymphocytes decrease.