● What is Ergothioneine?
Ergothioneine (L-Ergothioneine, EGT) is a natural antioxidant that can protect DNA proteins from oxidation damage; at the same time as a rare sulfur-containing amino acid (L-thiohistidine trimethyl internal salt) , is a cell protector and antioxidant naturally occurring in the human body, and has anti-photoaging and anti-oxidation effects. The molecular structure is as follows:
But our bodies cannot synthesize ergothioneine on their own, only through ingestion from the diet and accumulation in human tissues and cells, where oxidative stress is greatest. So where are the external sources? Ergothioneine is highest in mushrooms, and is also found in grains and vegetables.
● Content of ergothioneine in different products
Ergothioneine is mainly found in actinomycetes (such as mycobacteria) and non-yeast fungi (including basidiomycota and ascomycota), and the human body can only obtain ergothioneine through diet. Mushrooms are the main dietary source, but Ergothioneine levels also vary by mushroom species. Although ergothioneine is only synthesized by certain bacteria and fungi, it can also be found in a variety of foods.
● The transport protein OCTN1 helps the antioxidant ergothioneine to exert its efficacy
Ergothioneine exists in solution in a tautomeric state between thiol and thione, and at physiological pH, exists mainly in the form of thione in neutral aqueous solutions (the thione form resists autoxidation and resonates through its form exhibits potent antioxidant activity).
Paul, B. et al found that as a physiological antioxidant cytoprotectant, the tissue level of ergothioneine is maintained by its transporter OCTN1, which can distribute ergothioneine to red blood cells, bone marrow, liver, kidney and eyes and other tissues and organs. In the absence of added ergothioneine, depletion of the ergothioneine transporter resulted in enhanced oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA and increased cell death.
Ergothioneine was more effective at preventing cell death than the addition of ascorbate or glutathione at the same concentration. Ergothioneine can be largely retained in cells, and when used as an antioxidant, its -SH is oxidized but can be reduced very rapidly due to the unique tautomeric structure of the molecule. In contrast, glutathione is usually almost completely depleted in the face of oxidative stress. Unlike polyphenols, ergothioneine is excreted very slowly in the body, so ergothioneine can be highly retained in the body tissues and red blood cells of humans and other animals to fully exert its effects.
1) Eye protection
Ergothioneine exists in high concentrations in ocular tissues, including the lens, retina, cornea, and retinal pigment epithelium, and can reduce intracellular ROS generation and inhibit oxidation-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by scavenging chronic reactive oxygen species (ROS) ( EMT) to help protect the eyes.
2) Muscle repair
Ergothioneine can help better manage exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery, and ergothioneine supplementation for 1 week slightly improved early protein synthesis without impairing mitochondrial recovery.
3) Protect brain health & improve cognitive function
Ergothioneine can regulate neuronal differentiation, neurogenesis, and microglial activation, and can also prevent neurotoxicity caused by pathogenic proteins or chemicals. In addition, ergothioneine levels are associated with cognitive function and/or neurodegeneration in humans, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study in humans found Contrast, continuous oral administration of mushroom extract tablets containing ergothioneine for 12 weeks enhanced cognitive function.
4) Prevent UV damage
Ergothioneine protects skin cells from UV rays. This may be due in part to the UV-absorbing properties of ergothioneine, which has also been shown to confer protection by increasing endogenous antioxidant levels via Nrf2/ARE in human keratinocytes. Ergothioneine has also been shown to protect against UV-induced mitochondrial DNA damage.
5) Cardiovascular health
Ergothioneine may affect cardiovascular health because it may protect the vascular endothelium (such as the brain endothelium), which has been shown to protect the endothelium from damage caused by paraquat, hydrogen peroxide, high glucose, or oxidation. Oxidative damage and cell death induced by low-density lipoprotein exposure.
