The effect of Shiitake mushroom derived Lentinan (β-glucan) administration on some hematological and biochemical parameters in intact rabbits

This study was conducted to investigate the nutritional effect of shitake mushroom extract (Lentinan) on some hematological and biochemical parameters in healthy female rabbits. The study included ourteen rabbits at age of (7-8) weeks. After acclimatization, animals were divided into two equal groups and as follows: first group (G1) included seven intact rabbits fed with food and distilled water (IDW) ad libitum,. The second group (G2) or (IL) included seven rabbits that were supplemented with Lentinan (10mg/kg/BW) daily and orally. The results of this study showed that the effect of supplementation the animals with mushroom extract (Lentinan) at a dose 10mg/kg/BW on G2 (IL) cause a significant increase (P≤0.05) in platelets counts but there were no significant (P≤0.05) change appeared on red blood cells. The results of experiment also confirmed the protective role of mushroom extract (Lentinan) against oxidative stress  through the significant increase (P≤0.05) in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and decrease in concentration of peroxynitrite radical (ONOO-) in treatment groups (IL) as compared with control group(IDW).&nbsp