The Truffle (T. Magnatum) Mycelium Modulates Homeostasis Regulators: An Open Human Study

Based on our previous observation that the truffle (T. magnatum) mycelium extract enhanced DHEA in rats, the anti-metabolic disorder function of the extract was investigated in a cohort of 20 volunteers without chronic diseases (mean age: 54.2 ± 5.4 years; baseline HbA1c: 5.3-6.3%), including 12 men (53.8 ± 6.2 years) and 8 women (54.6 ± 4.5 years). They consumed one gel pack containing artificially cultivated truffle mycelium extract (equivalent to 2.8 g of truffle mycelium) approximately 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner for 12 weeks. In addition to general health indicators, selected biomarkers related to metabolic regulation and disorders were measured before and after the intervention. Although markers of metabolic syndrome, such as plasma triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels, did not show meaningful changes after the intervention, significant increases (p <0.05) in endocrine factors, including DHEA, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, adiponectin, and insulin, as well as NK cell activity, were observed. Some markers of liver and kidney damage, such as the A/G ratio and creatinine, improved significantly after truffle intake, as did erythrocyte condition. In addition, gender differences were notable in several markers, especially endocrine factors and liver function. To further evaluate its effects, participants were stratified by baseline HbA1c into a higher group (≥ 5.9%, mean 6.0 ± 0.116%, n = 8) and a lower group (< 5.8%, mean 5.5 ± 0.159%, n = 12). The two groups showed contrasting responses: in the higher HbA1c group, several metabolic syndrome markers tended to decrease (negative net changes), whereas in the lower HbA1c group, changes remained modestly positive after the truffle intake period. However, the differences between the two groups did not reach statistical significance for most markers. Notably, liver damage markers AST and ALT differed significantly between the two groups, indicating that liver-protective function is more pronounced in a metabolically distorted state. These results indicate that truffle extract does not directly improve the distorted metabolic condition but may do so indirectly by inducing homeostasis regulators.