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SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ABSTRACTS ON CHLORELLA
A review of recent
clinical trials of the nutritional supplement Chlorella
pyrenoidosa in the treatment of fibromyalgia, hypertension,
and ulcerative colitis.
Merchant RE, Andre
CA.Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of
Virginia, Richmond, VA. Altern Ther Health Med. 2001
May-Jun;7(3):79-91
CONTEXT: It has been suggested that the consumption of natural
"whole foods" rich in macronutrients has many healthful
benefits for those who otherwise ingest a normal,
nonvegetarian diet. One example is dietary supplements derived
from Chlorella pyrenoidosa, a unicellular fresh water green
alga rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
OBJECTIVE: To find
evidence of the potential of chlorella dietary supplements to
relieve signs and symptoms, improve quality of life, and
normalize body functions in people with chronic illnesses,
specifically fibromyalgia, hypertension, and ulcerative
colitis.
DESIGN:
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials.
SETTING: Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of
Virginia. PATIENTS: Fifty-five subjects with fibromyalgia, 33
with hypertension, and 9 with ulcerative colitis.
INTERVENTION:
Subjects consumed 10 g of pure chlorella in tablet form and
100 ml of a liquid containing an extract of chlorella each day
for 2 or 3 months.
MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: For fibromyalgia patients, assessments of pain and
overall quality of life. For hypertensive patients,
measurements of sitting diastolic blood pressure and serum
lipid levels. For patients with ulcerative colitis,
determination of state of disease using the Disease Activity
Index.
RESULTS: Daily
dietary supplementation with chlorella may reduce high blood
pressure, lower serum cholesterol levels, accelerate wound
healing, and enhance immune functions.
CONCLUSIONS: The
potential of chlorella to relieve symptoms, improve quality of
life, and normalize body functions in patients with
fibromyalgia, hypertension, or ulcerative colitis suggests
that larger, more comprehensive clinical trials of chlorella
are warranted.
Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized
Controlled Trial
PMID: 11347287 [PubMed
- indexed for MEDLINE]
Nutritional
supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for mild to
moderate hypertension.
Merchant RE, Andre
CA, Sica DA. Department of Anatomy and Internal Medicine,
Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia,
Richmond, VA, J Med Food. 2002 Fall;5(3):141-52.
Pharmacological treatment of hypertension reduces the risk of
cardiovascular disease; however, randomized, controlled
clinical trials and population studies have also shown that
abnormally high blood pressure (BP) can be lowered with diet
modification and exercise. The objective of this pilot study
was to determine whether daily dietary supplementation with
10g Chlorella tablets and 100ml Chlorella extract for 2 months
would reduce BP in subjects with a mean sitting diastolic BP (SiDBP)
between 90 and 115 mm Hg. Thirty-three people were enrolled
and underwent a 4-week washout period from all
antihypertensive medications, during which they consumed
placebo. At completion of this washout/placebo period, 24
subjects were considered evaluable (i.e., had a SiDBP between
90 and 115 mm Hg) and were continued in the study. After 1 or
2 months of dietary Chlorella supplementation, the average
heart rate, sitting systolic BP, and SiDBP changed only
slightly; after 2 months of Chlorella consumption, the group's
mean SiDBP was 96.5 +/- 6.6. However, a heterogeneous response
pattern to Chlorella existed, with 25% (6/24) of the subjects
achieving their BP goal (SiDBP less than 90 mm Hg).
Furthermore, the BP of nonresponders did not increase
significantly above washout values. Quality-of-life
questionnaires indicated an overall perception that health had
significantly improved in conjunction with Chlorella
consumption. The results indicate that, for some subjects with
mild to moderate hypertension, a daily dietary supplement of
Chlorella reduced or kept stable their SiDBP.
PMID: 12495586 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Anti-tumour-promoting
glyceroglycolipids from the green alga, Chlorella vulgaris.
Morimoto T, Nagatsu A, Murakami N, Sakakibara J,
Tokuda H, Nishino H, Iwashima A.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University,
Japan. Phytochemistry. 1995 Nov;40(5):1433-7
Two new monogalactosyl diacylglycerols were isolated from the
freshwater green alga, Chlorella vulgaris, as anti-tumour
promoters, together with three monogalactosyl diacylglycerols
and two digalactosyl diacylglycerols. The new monogalactosyl
diacylglycerol containing (7Z,10Z)-hexadecadienoic acid showed
a more potent inhibitory effect toward tumour promotion than
the other glycerolipids isolated.
PMID: 8534400 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Isolation of three high molecular weight polysaccharide
preparations with potent immunostimulatory activity from
Spirulina platensis, aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Chlorella
pyrenoidosa.
Pugh N, Ross SA,
ElSohly HN, ElSohly MA, Pasco DS. Department of Pharmacognosy,
School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University,
Mississippi. Planta Med. 2001 Nov;67(8):737-42
This research describes the identification of three new high
molecular weight polysaccharide preparations isolated from
food-grade microalgae that are potent activators of human
monocytes/macrophages: "Immulina" from Spirulina platensis, "Immunon"
from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, and "Immurella" from Chlorella
pyrenoidosa. These polysaccharides are structurally complex
and have estimated molecular weights above ten million daltons.
All three polysaccharides are highly water soluble and
comprise between 0.5 % and 2.0 % of microalgal dry weight.
Immunostimulatory activity was measured using a transcription
factor-based bioassay for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B)
activation in THP-1 human monocytes/macrophages. Using this
system the EC(50) values for these microalgal polysaccharides
are between 20 and 110 ng/ml (about 10pM). THP-1 activation
was confirmed by measuring immune cytokine mRNA induction
using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Each polysaccharide substantially increased mRNA levels of
interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
These polysaccharides are between one hundred and one thousand
times more active for in vitro monocyte activation than
polysaccharide preparations that are currently used clinically
for cancer immunotherapy.
PMID: 11731916 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Expression of human
growth hormone by the eukaryotic alga, Chlorella.
Hawkins RL, Nakamura M. Future Project Division,
Toyota Motor Corporation, 1, Toyota-cho, Toyota, Aichi
471-8572, Japan. Curr Microbiol. 1999 Jun;38(6):335-41
A method to use Chlorella to express a recombinant
heterologous protein that can be recovered from the
extracellular medium has been developed. Plasmids are
constructed with an extracellular secretion signal sequence
inserted between a promoter region and a gene for human growth
hormone (hGH). The plasmids also contain a Kanr region which
confers resistance to the antibiotic G418. Protoplasts are
prepared by enzymatic treatment, and the plasmid is introduced
by incubation of the protoplasts with polyethylene glycol and
dimethyl sulfoxide. Cells are then grown in the presence of
G418, and the medium is collected from 6 days after
transfection. hGH is measured by immunoassay, and values for
expressed hGH of about 200-600 ng/ml are obtained.
PMID: 10341074 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Inhibition of mast cells by algae.
Price JA 3rd, Sanny
C, Shevlin D. Department of Pathology, Oklahoma State
University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK. J Med Food.
2002 Winter;5(4):205-10
There is a history of use of algae as foods and as food
additives, or nutraceuticals. Although algae are a safe
component of human foods and animal feeds, the effects of the
algae other than as a source of protein are not clear. We
examined the prevalence of an anti-inflammatory activity in
selected algae using, as an assay system, the inhibition of
histamine release from mast cells. Methanolic extracts of
eleven algae were examined for activity to inhibit the release
of histamine from mast cells in vitro. This activity was found
widely among the samples tested. The activities of these
extracts were not uniformly stable in acid methanol. Selected
extracts studied further did not separate with the use of
size-exclusion filtration filters. LH-20 chromatography
suggested at least two main elution areas of activity of the
Chlorella extract. In summary, we saw wide phylogenetic
dispersion of mast cell inhibition activity, suggesting that
this anti-inflammatory property is common in algae. This
effect was apparently due to multiple activities within the
algal extracts.
PMID: 12639395 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Characterization
and bioavailability of vitamin B12-compounds from edible
algae.
Watanabe F,
Takenaka S, Kittaka-Katsura H, Ebara S, Miyamoto E. Department
of Health Science, Kochi Women's University, Kochi, Japan. J
Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2002 Oct;48(5):325-31
Substantial amounts of vitamin B12 were found in some edible
algae (green and purple lavers) and algal health food
(chlorella and spirulina tablets) using the Lactobacillus
delbrueckii subsp. lactis ATCC7830 microbiological assay
method. Corrinoid-compounds were purified and characterized
from these algae to clarify the chemical properties and
bioavailability of the algal vitamin B12. True vitamin B12 is
the predominate cobamide of green and purple lavers and
chlorella tablets. Feeding the purple laver to vitamin
B12-deficient rats significantly improved the vitamin B12
status. The results suggest that algal vitamin B12 is a
bioavailable source for mammals. Pseudovitamin B12 (an
inactive corrinoid) predominated in the spirulina tablets,
which are not suitable for use as a vitamin B12 source,
especially for vegetarians. algal health food,
bioavailability, cobalamin, edible algae, vitamin B12
Publication Types:
Review, Tutorial
PMID: 12656203 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Nutritional supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa for
patients with fibromyalgia syndrome
Merchant RE,
Carmack CA, Wise CM. Departments of Anatomy and Internal
Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of
Virginia Richmond, VA. Phytother Res. 2000 May;14(3):167-73
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common, chronic musculoskeletal
disorder of unknown aetiology. While available therapy is
often disappointing, most patients can be helped with a
combination of medication, exercise and maintenance of a
regular sleep schedule. The objective of the present study was
to determine if adding nutritional supplements derived from
the unicellular green alga, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, produced
any improvements in the clinical and functional status in
patients with moderately severe symptoms of fibromyalgia
syndrome. Eligible patients had 2+ palpable tenderness at 11
or more of 18 defined tender points and had a tender point
index (TPI) of at least 22.
Each day for 2
months, participants consumed two commercially available
Chlorella-based products, 10 g of 'Sun Chlorella' tablets and
100 mL of liquid 'Wakasa Gold'. Any amelioration of symptoms
was validated and quantified using semi-objective and
subjective outcome measures systematically administered at
clinic visits on days 0, 30 and 60 of the diet therapy.
Eighteen of the 20 patients enrolled completed the 2 month
trial. The average TPI for the group which at onset was 32,
decreased to a mean of 25 after 2 months. This decrease was
statistically significant (p = 0.01), representing a 22%
decrease in pain intensity. Blood samples taken on each
occasion indicated no significant alterations in serum
chemistries, formed elements, and circulating lymphocyte
subsets. Compilations of the results of patient interviews and
self-assessment questionnaires revealed that seven patients
felt that the dietary supplement had improved their
fibromyalgia symptoms, while six thought they had experienced
no change, and five believed the symptoms had worsened over
the time of the trial. The results of this pilot study suggest
that dietary Chlorella supplementation may help relieve the
symptoms of fibromyalgia in some patients and that a larger,
more comprehensive double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical
trial in these patients is warranted. Copyright 2000 John
Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
PMID: 10815009 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Antigenotoxic activity of natural chlorophylls.
Negishi T, Rai H, Hayatsu H. Faculty of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Japan. Mutat Res.
1997 May 12;376(1-2):97-100
Chlorophyllin, a man-made water-soluble form of chlorophyll,
is a focus of intensive studies from many laboratories for its
antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. Natural
chlorophylls, in contrast, have been little studied in this
regard. Since yellow-green vegetables are implicated to be
protective against human cancers by epidemiological studies,
it is important to explore the antigenotoxic properties of
natural chlorophylls. Previously, we reported that a
chlorophyll sample prepared from Chlorella vulgaris inhibited
the mutagenicity of
3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, a
direct-acting mutagen, in Salmonella, and that the chlorophyll
also showed inhibition of wing spot formation in Drosophila
induced by 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2).
We have now prepared several samples of chlorophyll from
spinach and chlorella, and studied their effect on the
genotoxicity of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) in Drosophila.
The results showed that the genotoxicity of orally given 4NQO
was suppressed by simultaneous administration of the
chlorophylls. The mechanisms of this inhibition are discussed.
PMID: 9202743 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Warfarin therapy
and chlorella
Ohkawa S, Yoneda Y, Ohsumi Y, Tabuchi M. Neurology
Service, Hyogo Brain and Heart Center at Himeji, Japan. Rinsho
Shinkeigaku. 1995 Jul;35(7):806-7
Warfarin potassium (warfarin) is one of anticoagulants. Its
anticoagulant effect is induced by inhibiting vitamin K in a
complex manner. It is used effectively and safely in
preventing cerebral embolism of cardiac origin, provided that
thrombotest (TT) values are maintained from 10 to 20%. A
75-year-old man with atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy
had cerebral embolism in the territory of the right middle
cerebral artery. Warfarin therapy was started to prevent the
recurrence of embolic stroke. TT values had been well
controlled until intake of chlorella, but they rose above the
therapeutic limit after its intake. There was no evidence of
discontinuing warfarin, or taking drugs containing vitamin K
or Natto. Chlorella is one of vitamin K-rich foods. Thus, it
may inhibit the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
PMID: 8777808 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effect of
Chlorella vulgaris extracts on murine cytomegalovirus
infections.
Ibusuki K, Minamishima Y. Department of
Microbiology, Miyazaki Medical College, Japan. Nat Immun Cell
Growth Regul. 1990;9(2):121-8
The host-mediated antiviral effect of Chlorella vulgaris
extracts (CVE) was evaluated in ICR mice against murine
cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Mice treated with 10 mg of
CVE on days 3 and 1 before virus challenge survived lethal
infection. The protective effect of CVE was shown by a
decrease in the infectious viruses replicated in the target
organs of CVE-treated ICR mice. CVE also protected mice from
histopathological damage to the target organs due to MCMV
infection. Both the serum interferon (IFN) level and
2'5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase activity were elevated
in CVE-treated and MCMV-infected mice, and were higher than
those in the control mice. The natural killer (NK) activity of
spleen cells, which is otherwise deteriorated by lethal MCMV
infection, was remarkably augmented in CVE-treated mice.
Neither virocidal nor virostatic activity of CVE on MCMV was
seen in vitro. Thus, CVE-induced resistance against MCMV seems
to be host-mediated. The protective effect correlated with the
augmentation of NK activity of the spleen cells and serum IFN
activity, which inhibited replication of MCMV in the target
organs and subsequently saved the mice from death.
PMID: 1693753 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Chlorella vulgaris
culture supernatant (CVS) reduces psychological stress-induced
apoptosis in thymocytes of mice.
Hasegawa T, Noda K, Kumamoto S, Ando Y, Yamada A,
Yoshikai Y. Research Laboratories, Chlorella Industry Co. Ltd,
1343 Hisatomi, Chikugo City, 833-0056, Fukuoka, Japan. Int J
Immunopharmacol. 2000 Nov;22(11):877-85
A glycoprotein prepared from Chlorella vulgaris culture
supernatant (CVS) is a biological response modifier (BRM)
which exhibits protective activities against tumor metastasis
and 5-fluorouracil-induced immunosuppression. We here show
that oral administration of CVS prevented significantly the
apoptosis of thymocytes in mice undergoing psychological
stress in a communication box. Mice were exposed to the
emotional stress for 14 days by witnessing other mice being
exposed to foot-shock. The numbers in thymocytes, especially
CD4(+)CD8(+) population, were decreased significantly and
apoptotic cells, as assessed by Annexin V expression, were
reciprocally increased after the exposure to the psychological
stress. C. vulgaris culture supernatant (CVS) administration
significantly suppressed the increase in serum corticosterone
level in the psychologically stressed mice. These results
suggest that CVS prevents psychological stress and maintain
homeostasis in the face of external environmental changes.
PMID: 11090696 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effect of
lipophilic extract of Chlorella vulgaris on alimentary
hyperlipidemia in cholesterol-fed rats.
Sano T, Kumamoto Y, Kamiya N, Okuda M, Tanaka Y.
Department of Chemistry, Kurume University School of Medicine,
Fukuoka, Japan. Artery. 1988;15(4):217-24
The effect of glycolipid (GL) and phospholipid (PL) fractions
obtained from Chlorella on serum lipid level and fecal
excretion of steroids were examined in cholesterol-fed rats.
The increase of the level of serum lipids was inhibited by the
feeding of GL, PL and Chlorella powder almost the same degree.
Fecal excretion of steroids (mostly of cholesterol,
deoxycholic and lithocholic acid) was increased by feeding of
GL and PL fractions. It is concluded that the feeding of each
fraction inhibits the absorption of exogenous steroids and
promotes turnover of bile acids in liver to suppress the
increase of serum cholesterol level caused by administration
of high cholesterol diet.
PMID: 3136759 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
A novel
glycoprotein obtained from Chlorella vulgaris strain CK22
shows antimetastatic immunopotentiation.
Tanaka K, Yamada A, Noda K, Hasegawa T, Okuda M,
Shoyama Y, Nomoto K. Research Laboratories, Chlorella
Industries Co. Ltd., Fukuoka, Japan. Cancer Immunol Immunother.
1998 Feb;45(6):313-20
A glycoprotein extract (CVS), derived from the unicellular
green alga Chlorella vulgaris, strain CK22, exhibited a
pronounced antitumor effect against both spontaneous and
experimentally induced metastasis in mice. Inhibition of tumor
metastasis was enhanced when intratumor administration of CVS
was followed by s.c. injection of CVS. Anti-metastatic
immunopotentiation was observed in euthymic mice, but not in
athymic nude mice. The antitumor activity of CVS was reflected
in antigen-specific, T-cell-mediated immunity. Both CD4 and
CD8 T cells contributed to the antimetastatic effects, as
shown by in vivo depletion experiments with anti-T-cell subset
antibodies. Furthermore, CVS caused the recruitment of T cells
to the regional lymph nodes and their proliferation in these
organs. The CD4-positive population, following CVS injection
at the time of tumor rechallenge, displayed a pronounced
increase in the proportion of T cells that were CD18 bright,
CD44 bright, CD25+, CD54+, CD69+ or CD71+ in the lymph nodes.
Thus, CVS induces T cell activation in peripheral lymph nodes
in tumor-bearing mice. We conclude that CVS augments
antimetastatic immunity through T cell activation in lymphoid
organs and enhances recruitment of these cells to the tumor
sites. Presurgical treatment with CVS might prevent metastasis
or tumor progression.
PMID: 9490201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Experimental
biological life support system. Gas exchange between man and
microalgae culture in a 30-day experiment.
Kirensky LV, Terskov IA, Gitelson II, Lisovsky GM,
Kovrov BG, Okladnikov YN. Moscow, USSR. Life Sci Space Res.
1968;6:37-40
The experiments of a prolonged stay by man in a closed
atmosphere regenerated by a biological method have been
examined. In the course of the experiment, a study of isolated
and compatible links of a gas-closed system of "man-microalgae"
was carried out. The main emphasis was placed on the study of
the biological compatibility of the links of the system and
primarily of the effect of gaseous metabolites built up in the
system of man. The dynamics of a number of physiological
parameters of the man under experiment were studied. The
regular functional tests of the respiratory and cardiovascular
system were carried out. An electrocardiogram was made and
respiratory rate and pulse were registered. Oxyhemogram
investigations and laboratory clinical examinations were also
performed, as well as some psychological tests. It was
possible to equalize the respiratory gas ratio by the
composition of the cultural environment for algae and by the
nutrition ration of man. This eliminates time limit for the
life maintenance system, especially on microalgae
photosynthesis. The results of the experiments permit drawing
a conclusion on the biological compatibility of man and
microalgae in their prolonged direct gas contact. Thus the
possibility of obtaining a balanced atmosphere regeneration
system on the basis of counterbalanced gas exchange between
man and controlled photosynthesis of algae has been proven
experimentally.
PMID: 11982027 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The stimulation of
tumoricidal peritoneal macrophages can be directly induced by
peritoneal implantation of unicellular algae in humans
Vermeil C, Morin O, Le Bodic L. Arch Inst Pasteur
Tunis. 1985 Mar-Jun;62(1-2):91-4
The authors explain by what means they have been conducted to
use the anti-tumoral power shown by the peptido-glycans
produced in the wall of unicellular algae. The first human
trials when the algae are introduced in the peritoneal cavity
have shown a good tolerance.
PMID: 4091620 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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