The aim of the study was to verify the influence of Agaricus blazei (Murrill) ss. Heinemann (A. blazei) on the evolution of nutritional state and liver function in hepatitis C patients.

Ten patients were studied (5 - GI - not taking A. blazei - and 5 - G2 - taking A. blazei), from both sexes, with positive Anti-VHC and a healthy nutritional state, admitted into in the viral hepatitis ward. Diagnosis and treatment for hepatitis C concurred with the regulations of the Ministry of Health and nutritional evaluation was performed in 3 moments according to anthropometrical, bioimpedance, biochemical and dietary standards, with duration of 6 months. The consumption of A. blazei (10g/day) in dehydrated powder was concomitant with antiviral therapy (conventional or pegylated interferon associated with ribavirin) with duration of 5 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• To have been informed and signed adequately the free and clarified assent
• Initiating the anti-viral treatment (interferon or pegylated interferon associate the ribavirin)
• Age: 24-70 years
• Gender :both the gender
• Race : all races
• To present serology positive to the anti-VHC ELISA
• To present genotype type 1,2,or 3
• Body mass index- >18,5 e < 35kg /m2
• Conditions full to the ORAL ingestion

Exclusion Criteria:

• Don't agree to the project or don't have signed the term of clarified free assent
• Restriction for oral ingestion
• The existence of surface of antigen of the hepatitis B virus(Ag HBs)
• The existence of antibody for the human immunodeficiency virus
• To be enclosed in another project of research or form of treatment
• Pregnant women
• Suckles
• Cirrhosis
• Patients with hepatitis auto-imune.