Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of Spirulina, a blue-green alga used as a food supplement. The effects of Spirulina on the secretion of three cytokines from unstimulated and stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined. In resting PBMC, Spirulina stimulated secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, and interferon (IFN)-γ to nearly 2.0, 3.3, and 13.6 times basal levels, respectively. Spirulina induced levels of IFN-γ (229 ± 104 pg/ml) that were comparable to those seen after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation (476 ± 121 pg/ml). However, it was much less mitogenic than PHA (13.1 ± 6.9 pg/ml) with respect to the induction of IL-4 secretion (0.34 ± 0.1 pg/ml). In PHA-stimulated cells, Spirulina enhanced secretion of IL-1β, IL-4, and IFN-γ by 2.9, 4.0., and 1.6 times, respectively. Although Spirulina stimulates several cytokines, it is clearly more effective in the generation of a Th1-type response. This in vitro study offers additional data for consideration of the potential therapeutic benefits of Spirulina.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 135-140 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Medicinal Food |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 2000 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Food Science
Cite this
Effect of Spirulina on the secretion of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. / Mao, T. K.; Van de Water, Judith A; Gershwin, M. Eric.
In: Journal of Medicinal Food, Vol. 3, No. 3, 2000, p. 135-140.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of Spirulina on the secretion of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells
AU - Mao, T. K.
AU - Van de Water, Judith A
AU - Gershwin, M. Eric
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of Spirulina, a blue-green alga used as a food supplement. The effects of Spirulina on the secretion of three cytokines from unstimulated and stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined. In resting PBMC, Spirulina stimulated secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, and interferon (IFN)-γ to nearly 2.0, 3.3, and 13.6 times basal levels, respectively. Spirulina induced levels of IFN-γ (229 ± 104 pg/ml) that were comparable to those seen after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation (476 ± 121 pg/ml). However, it was much less mitogenic than PHA (13.1 ± 6.9 pg/ml) with respect to the induction of IL-4 secretion (0.34 ± 0.1 pg/ml). In PHA-stimulated cells, Spirulina enhanced secretion of IL-1β, IL-4, and IFN-γ by 2.9, 4.0., and 1.6 times, respectively. Although Spirulina stimulates several cytokines, it is clearly more effective in the generation of a Th1-type response. This in vitro study offers additional data for consideration of the potential therapeutic benefits of Spirulina.
AB - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of Spirulina, a blue-green alga used as a food supplement. The effects of Spirulina on the secretion of three cytokines from unstimulated and stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined. In resting PBMC, Spirulina stimulated secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, and interferon (IFN)-γ to nearly 2.0, 3.3, and 13.6 times basal levels, respectively. Spirulina induced levels of IFN-γ (229 ± 104 pg/ml) that were comparable to those seen after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation (476 ± 121 pg/ml). However, it was much less mitogenic than PHA (13.1 ± 6.9 pg/ml) with respect to the induction of IL-4 secretion (0.34 ± 0.1 pg/ml). In PHA-stimulated cells, Spirulina enhanced secretion of IL-1β, IL-4, and IFN-γ by 2.9, 4.0., and 1.6 times, respectively. Although Spirulina stimulates several cytokines, it is clearly more effective in the generation of a Th1-type response. This in vitro study offers additional data for consideration of the potential therapeutic benefits of Spirulina.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0033748772&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0033748772
VL - 3
SP - 135
EP - 140
JO - Journal of Medicinal Food
JF - Journal of Medicinal Food
SN - 1096-620X
IS - 3
ER -