HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Chlorella, Histamine and Allergy

Study Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Chlorella used as a functional food in east asia has been shown to enhance immune functions. However, there has been no direct evidence of the suppressive effect of a hot water extract of Chlorella vulgaris (CVE) on histamine-mediated allergic responses.

RESULTS:
The anti-histmine activities of CVE were analyzed by means of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) stimulated by compound 48/80. To verify in vivo, OVA-immunized BALB/c mice were orally treated with CVE. The serum immunoglulin (Ig) E levels and slenocyte cytokines levels were determined by ELISA. CVE prevented histamine release through degranulation of mast cells by blocking the uptake of extracellular Ca(2+) into RPMCs. Moreover, the administration of CVE inhibited serum IgE overproduction by OVA via induction of Th1 skewing that was dependent on IFN-γ and IL-12 secretion.

CONCLUSION:
These results clearly demonstrate that CVE exhibits to be an anti-allergic dietary agent by suppressing histamine release via the enhancive effects of CVE on Th1-related responses.

Study Information

Bae MJ, Shin HS, Chai OH, Han JG, Shon DH.
Inhibitory effect of unicellular green algae (Chlorella vulgaris) water extract on allergic immune response.
J Sci Food Agric.
2013 February
Division of Metabolism & Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seognam-si, Kyeonggi-do, 463-746, Republic of Korea.