Researchers discovered that a protein from mushrooms called FIP-fve may help people who have both obesity and allergic asthma. In studies with mice, this protein reduced weight gain, improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and calmed down the inflammation in the airways that causes asthma symptoms. The protein seemed to work by reducing harmful chemicals in the body that trigger allergic reactions and inflammation. While these results are promising, more research in humans is needed before doctors can recommend it as a treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a protein extracted from mushrooms could help reduce asthma symptoms and weight gain in mice that were overweight and had allergies
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice that were fed a high-fat diet and exposed to dust mite allergens to mimic obesity-related asthma in humans
  • Key finding: Mice treated with the mushroom protein gained significantly less weight, had better blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and experienced less severe asthma symptoms compared to untreated mice
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a potential new treatment option for people with both obesity and allergic asthma, though human studies are still needed to confirm safety and effectiveness

The Research Details

Scientists used laboratory mice to test whether a protein called FIP-fve from Flammulina velutipes mushrooms could help with asthma that gets worse because of obesity. They fed some mice a high-fat diet to make them overweight, then exposed them to dust mite allergens (common asthma triggers). Some of the overweight, allergic mice received the mushroom protein by mouth, while others didn’t receive any treatment. The researchers then measured body weight, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, how easily the mice’s airways got inflamed, and looked at lung tissue under a microscope to see the damage.

This type of study is called a preclinical or animal model study. Researchers use animals to test new treatments before they can be tested in humans. It helps them understand how a treatment works and whether it’s safe enough to try in people.

This research approach is important because obesity and asthma together create a more serious health problem than either condition alone. By studying how the mushroom protein affects both weight and asthma symptoms at the same time, scientists can understand whether a single treatment might help with multiple problems. The detailed measurements of inflammation markers and lung tissue damage help explain exactly how the protein helps.

This study was published in Scientific Reports, a well-respected scientific journal. The researchers measured many different outcomes (weight, blood chemistry, breathing problems, inflammation markers, and tissue damage) which makes the findings more reliable. However, because this is an animal study, results may not work the same way in humans. The study size and specific number of mice tested were not provided in the abstract, which limits our ability to assess the statistical strength of the findings.

What the Results Show

The mushroom protein treatment produced several important improvements in the obese mice with asthma. First, mice that received FIP-fve gained significantly less weight compared to mice on the high-fat diet without treatment. Second, the protein normalized blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels, bringing them closer to healthy ranges. Third, the protein dramatically reduced airway hyper-responsiveness, which means the mice’s airways were less likely to become inflamed and constricted when exposed to allergens.

The researchers also measured inflammatory markers in the blood—these are chemicals that indicate inflammation in the body. Mice treated with FIP-fve had much lower levels of pro-inflammatory molecules including IL-6, IL-33, osteopontin, and VCAM-1. These are the same inflammatory markers that are elevated in people with asthma. When the scientists examined lung tissue under a microscope, they found that treated mice had less inflammatory cell infiltration and less tissue damage compared to untreated mice.

Beyond the main findings, the cytokine array analysis (a test that measures many inflammatory chemicals at once) revealed that FIP-fve reversed the upregulation of multiple inflammatory, metabolic, and angiogenic cytokines. This means the protein didn’t just target one problem—it helped regulate many different harmful chemicals that were produced by the combination of high-fat diet and allergen exposure. This multi-targeted effect suggests the protein works through several different biological pathways simultaneously.

This research builds on existing knowledge that obesity worsens asthma severity and that certain natural compounds can have anti-inflammatory effects. Previous studies have shown that mushroom-derived proteins can modulate immune function, but this appears to be one of the first studies specifically examining FIP-fve in the context of obesity-related asthma. The findings align with the growing understanding that treating obesity-related asthma requires addressing both the metabolic dysfunction and the airway inflammation simultaneously.

This study was conducted entirely in mice, so the results may not translate directly to humans. Mice have different body sizes, metabolic rates, and immune systems compared to people. The study doesn’t specify exactly how many mice were used or provide detailed statistical analysis, which makes it harder to assess how confident we should be in the results. Additionally, the protein was given during the sensitization phase (when the mice were first exposed to allergens), so we don’t know if it would work as well if given after asthma symptoms have already developed. Finally, this is a single study, so the findings need to be confirmed by other research groups before any clinical recommendations can be made.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, FIP-fve shows promise as a potential treatment for obesity-related asthma. However, it is too early to recommend it for human use. The next steps would be safety testing in humans, followed by clinical trials to determine if it actually helps people with asthma. If you have asthma and obesity, continue following your doctor’s current treatment plan while staying informed about emerging research.

This research is most relevant to people with both obesity and allergic asthma, as well as researchers and doctors who specialize in treating these conditions. People with asthma alone or obesity alone might also be interested, as the protein appeared to help with both conditions. However, this is preliminary research, so it’s not yet appropriate for clinical use in any population.

In the animal studies, the benefits appeared during the treatment period. If this treatment eventually reaches human trials, it would likely take several years of research before it becomes available as a therapy. Realistic expectations would be that any new treatment would need to be tested for safety and effectiveness over months to years before doctors could recommend it.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users with asthma and obesity could track weekly weight, daily asthma symptom severity (using a 1-10 scale), and frequency of rescue inhaler use to establish a baseline for comparison if this treatment becomes available
  • While waiting for human studies, users could incorporate mushroom-based foods into their diet (such as shiitake or oyster mushrooms) as part of a healthy eating plan, and track any changes in asthma symptoms or weight alongside other lifestyle modifications
  • Set up monthly check-ins to review trends in weight, asthma control, and overall metabolic health markers (if available from doctor visits) to establish personal baseline data that could be useful for discussing new treatments with healthcare providers

This research is preliminary animal study data and has not been tested in humans. FIP-fve is not currently approved by the FDA or other regulatory agencies for treating asthma or obesity in people. Do not attempt to self-treat asthma or obesity with mushroom supplements based on this research. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new treatment, supplement, or significant dietary change, especially if you have asthma or other chronic health conditions. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.