Osteoporosis, characterized by excessive osteoclast activity and disrupted bone remodeling, remains a significant health concern. This study investigated the potential of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) extracts, prepared with various drying methods, to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and promote bone formation. Mushroom stipe extracts, irrespective of the drying method, effectively suppressed osteoclast differentiation by downregulating nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 expression in osteoclast precursor cells treated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), whereas the mushroom cap extracts exhibited minimal inhibitory effects. This disparity highlights the importance of part-specific analyses as the stipes contained higher levels of bioactive molecules, including denatonium, which was identified as a key RANKL signaling disrupter. In contrast, the caps lacked the anti-osteoclastogenic activity observed in the stipes, which were notably consistent across the freeze-drying, air-drying, and hot-air drying methods, indicating the stability of the bioactive compounds under various processing conditions. In vivo studies using an osteoporosis-induced zebrafish model further validated the therapeutic potential of the stipe extracts, which restored bone mineralization and mitigated prednisolone-induced bone loss. These findings emphasize the importance of identifying and optimizing specific mushroom parts for their unique therapeutic properties. Shiitake mushroom stipe extracts are a natural product potentially useful in osteoporosis therapy. This therapy would be a promising alternative to conventional treatments, such as bisphosphonates, which are associated with adverse side effects.

Chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs presents with persistent symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and changes in appetite. Traditional diagnostic methods, including blood tests, ultrasound, and endoscopy, often fail to assess the entire small intestine. Capsule endoscopy offers a non-invasive approach, enabling comprehensive visualization of the gastrointestinal tract and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. In case 1, a 10-year-old Maltese with chronic diarrhea and significant weight loss underwent capsule endoscopy, revealing severe lacteal dilation and moderate gastric erythema, leading to a diagnosis of severe intestinal lymphangiectasia and moderate enteritis. Despite initial corticosteroid therapy and dietary changes, clinical improvement was limited. In case 2, an 11-year-old mixed-breed dog with chronic vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss was assessed. Capsule endoscopy detected moderate gastric erythema, severe small intestinal irregularities, and jejunal bleeding, diagnosing mild esophagitis, moderate gastritis, and severe enteritis with hemorrhage. Treatment with a hypoallergenic diet, corticosteroids, and acid suppressants resulted in gradual symptom relief. This report demonstrates that capsule endoscopy can be utilized as a screening tool for evaluating the mucosal status in patients with CE.