Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on Immune-enhancement and Cytokine Production in vivo and in vitro

  • An, Hyo-Jin (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Rim, Hong-Kun (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Lee, Jong-Hyun (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Seo, Min-Jun (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Hong, Jin-Woo (Department of Oriental Internal Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Kim, Na-Hyung (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Myung, Noh-Yil (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Moon, Phil-Dong (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Choi, In-Young (Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Na, Ho-Jeong (Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Kim, Su-Jin (Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Jeong, Hyun-Ja (Biochip Research Center, Hoseo University) ;
  • Park, Hyeung-Suk (Daesang Corp., WellLife R&D Center) ;
  • Han, Jae-Gab (Daesang Corp., WellLife R&D Center) ;
  • Um, Jae-Young (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Hong, Seung-Heon (Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of harmacy, Wonkwang University) ;
  • Kim, Hyung-Min (College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Oriental Medical Science Center, Kyung Hee University)
  • Published : 2008.10.31

Abstract

The object of this study was to investigate the immune-enhancing effects of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on a deteriorated immune function by a protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) diet. Unicellular algae, CV were used as a biological response modifier. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed for 15 days with standard diet or a PEM diet, which is associated with decreased host immune defense. After 8 days, mice in the PEM diet group were orally administered by 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 g/kg body weight of CV or distilled water. Nutritional parameters, and interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ levels were significantly increased in the blood serum of the CV (0.15 g/kg)-treated group (29.6$\pm$2.8 pg/mL) compared to the non-treated PEM group (4.1$\pm$0.4 pg/mL, p<0.05). In addition, cell proliferation and production of cytokines were investigated via a CV (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/mL) treatment using a human T cell line MOLT-4 cell. The CV treatment (1 mg/mL) significantly increased the production of both IFN-$\gamma$ and interleukin (IL)-2 (51.3$\pm$3.4 and 285.9$\pm$18.8 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the control (51.3$\pm$3.4 and 442.6$\pm$14.3 pg/mL, respectively), but did not affect the production of IL-4. These results suggest that CV may be useful in improving the immune function.

Keywords

References

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