Effects of the mycelial extract of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on in vivo hepatic energy metabolism and blood flow in dietary hypoferric anaemic mice

The beneficial effects of a traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps sinensi s (Cs), on mice with hypoferric anaemia were evaluated by NMR spectroscopy. Experimental hypoferric anaemia was induced in mice by feeding with an Fe- free diet for 6 weeks. They were then given extract from cultured Cs (200 m g/kg body weight daily, orally) and were placed on an Fe-containing recover y diet (35 mg Fe/kg diet) for 4 weeks. In vivo P-31 and H-2 NMR spectra acq uired noninvasively and quantitatively at weekly intervals were used to eva luate hepatic energy metabolism and blood flow in the mice. During the 4-we ek Cs-extract treatment, consistent increases were observed in liver beta-A TP : inorganic phosphate value by liver P-31 NMR spectroscopy, representing the high energy state, and in blood-flow rate as determined by H-2 NMR spe ctroscopy of deuterated water (D2O) uptake after intravenous injection of D 2O. The haematological variables (the packed cell volume and the haemoglobi n level) and the hepatic intracellular pH, which was determined from the NM R chemical shift difference between the inorganic phosphate peak and the al pha-phosphate peak of ATP, were not significantly different between Cs-extr act-treated and control mice. As blood flow and energy metabolism are thoug ht to be linked, the Cs-extract-increased hepatic energy metabolism in the dietary hypoferric anaemic mice was concluded to be due to increased hepati c blood flow.