Collagen

From an operational perspective, the immediate challenge is to scale production while maintaining consistent, reproducible outputs across multiple client programs. The next challenge will be expanding the range of assays and disease models we can support. For example, can we build models using muscle samples from patients in different regions of the world, including those with muscular dystrophy? I believe we can. Beyond that, the greater challenge is modeling more complex conditions such as motor neuron disease, where multiple biological systems interact. Recreating those disease environments in a meaningful and physiologically relevant way will be essential to deepening our understanding of those conditions.

A Japanese firm, Amino Up Co., Ltd., produces a standardized extract of the mycelia of the cultured mushroom Lentinula edodes. AHCC has shown the ability to increase dendritic cell numbers in the blood, enhance virus elimination, increase influenza antibody titers post-vaccination, and reduce cancer recurrences after liver tumor resection. In the last case, its use was also associated with a reduction in cirrhosis odds compared to the group that did not take this agent. This prompted the current study, where AHCC was examined for its potential to prevent the progression of liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation.

Collagen helps to give strength to various structures of the body and also protects structures like the skin by preventing absorption and spreading of pathogenic substances, environmental toxins, micro - organisms and cancerous cells. Collagen protein is the cement that holds everything together. Collagen is also present in all the smooth muscle tissues, blood vessels digestive tract, heart, gallbladder, kidneys and bladder holding the cells and tissues together. Collagen is even the major component of the hair and nails.