Blue Green Algae
AFA Health Benefits
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Scientific Research and
Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae - terrific health benefits
Scientific Research Findings Regarding AFA Health Benefits:
Study for AFA health benefits
for the and the Immune System
Consumption of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Has Rapid Effects on the Circulation
and Function of Immune Cells in Humans
A novel approach to nutritional mobilization of the immune system Gitte
S. Jensen, Donald Ginsberg, Patricia Huerta, Monica Citton, and Christian
Drapeau, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal Quebec, Cell
Tech, Klamath Falls, or Desert Lake Technologies, Klamath Falls, OR
Objective: To examine the short-term effects of consumption of a moderate
amount (1.5 grams) of the blue green algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA),
on the immune system.
Methods: Using a crossover placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded
design, 21 volunteers were studied, including 5 long-term AFA consumers.
Results: Consumption of a moderate amount (1.5 grams) of the blue-green
algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae results in rapid changes in immune cell
trafficking. Two hours after AFA consumption, a generalized mobilization
of lymphocytes and monocytes, but not polymorph nucleated cells was observed.
This included increases in CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cell subsets and CD19+
B cells. In addition, the relative proportions and absolute numbers of
natural killer (NK) cells were reduced after AFA consumption. No changes
were observed in the relative proportions of n6ve versus memory T cells,
neither in the CD4 or the CD8 fractions. A mild, but significant reduction
in phagocytic activity was observed for polymorph nucleated cells. When
freshly purified lymphocytes were exposed to AFA extract in vitro, direct
activation was not induced, as evaluated by tyrosine phosphorylation
and proliferative activity.
Discussion: The changes in immune cell trafficking displayed high degree
of cell specificity. Long-term consumers responded stronger, with respect
to altered immune cell trafficking. In vitro, AFA did not induce a direct
activation of lymphocytes. These data support a signaling pathway from
gut-to-CNS-to-lymphoid tissue. The signals from CNS may be crucial for
the rapid changes in the general distribution and specific recruitment
we observed. Moderate anti-inflammatory modulation may account for the
modification of phagocytic activity.
Conclusion: Consumption of AFA leads to rapid changes in immune cell
trafficking, but not direct activation of lymphocytes. Thus, AFA increases
the immune surveillance without directly stimulating the immune system.
JANA, vol. 2, No. 3, 2000, pp. 50-58
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Study of Chlorophyll part
of AFA health benefits
Effect of dietary chlorophyll derivatives on mutagenesis and tumor cell
growth
Chernomorsky S, Segelman A, Poretz RD. (1999). Teratog Carcinog Mutagen.19(5):313-22
Much attention in recent years has been given to the antigenotoxicity
of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll, however, is known to be converted into pheophytin,
pyropheophytin, and pheophorbide in processed vegetable food and following
ingestion by humans. Studies were conducted on the antimutagenic and
tumoricidal potencies of these compounds.
All the chlorophyll derivatives
tested exhibit identical antimutagenic effect towards 3-methylcholanthrene
(3-MC), suggesting that the porphyrin nucleus may complex directly with
the mutagen. It does not exclude, however, another mechanism of activity
involving inactivation the enzymatic transformation of 3-MC.
In contrast,
the action of N'-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) depends upon structural
differences between the chlorophyll derivatives. It is significantly
lower when the phytol-containing pheophytin and pyropheophytin are tested
as to that of the phytol-lacking pheophorbide.
The higher concentrations
of the chlorophyll derivatives were required to reduce the mutagenicity
of MNNG than needed for 3-MC. The cytotoxicity of chlorophyll derivatives
against tumor cells also was evaluated. The cellular uptake and inhibition
of myeloma cell multiplicity were found to be greater for pheophorbide
than for pheophytin.
Calculated on the amount of cell associated chlorophyll
derivative, however, pheophytin was more cytostatic/cytotoxic than pheophorbide.
The results presented in this report indicate that food sources that
yield chlorophyll derivatives may play a significant role in cancer prevention.
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Study on Phycocyanin part
of AFA health benefits
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of C-phycocyanin
from blue-green algae (AFA)
Romay C, Armesto J, Remirez D, Gonzalez R, Ledon N, Garcia I Pharmacology
Department, National Center for Scientific Research, CNIC, Havana, Cuba.
ricardo@quimica.cneuro.cu
Objective: Phycocyanin is a pigment found in blue-green algae which
contains open chain tetrapyrroles with possible scavenging properties.
We have studied its antioxidant properties.
Materials and Methods: Phycocyanin was evaluated as a putative antioxidant
in vitro by using: a) luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LCL) generated
by three different radical species (O2-, OH., RO.) and by zymosan activated
human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs), b) deoxyribose assay and
c) inhibition of liver microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by Feascorbic
acid. The antioxidant activity was also assayed in vivo in glucose oxidase
(GO)-induced inflammation in mouse paw.
Results: The results indicated that phycocyanin is able to scavenge
OH. (IC50 = 0.91 mg/mL) and RO. (IC50 = 76 microg/mL) radicals, with
activity equivalent to 0.125 mg/mL of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and
0.038 microg/mL of trolox, specific scavengers of those radicals respectively.
In the deoxyribose assay the second-order rate constant was 3.56 x 10(11)
M(-1) S(-1), similar to that obtained for some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. Phycocyanin also inhibits liver microsomal lipid peroxidation
(IC50 = 12 mg/mL), the CL response of PMNLs (p < 0.05) as well as
the edema index in GO-induced inflammation in mouse paw (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first report of the antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory properties of c-phycocyanin.
Inflamm Res 1998 Jan;47(1):36-41
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Study of AFA health benefits
as a Source of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Favorable Effects of Blue-Green AFA on Rat
Plasma Lipids
Rafail 1. Kushak,1 Christian Drapeau,2,3 Elizabeth M. Van Cott,1 Harland
H. Winter1 1Combined Program in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
and Division of Laboratory Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard
Medical School, Boston, MA; 2Cell Tech, Klamath Falls, or 3Current Address:
Desert Lake Technologies, Klamath Falls, OR
ABSTRACT
Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential for human
health. There are indications that the lipid fraction of blue-green algae
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae contains about 50% of PUFA and may be a good
dietary source of PUFA. The purpose of this study was to investigate
the effect of diets supplemented with algae on blood plasma lipids.
Methods: Rats were fed with four different semisynthetic diets: i) standard,
with 5% soybean oil; ii) PUFA-free with 5% coconut oil; iii) PUFA-free
with 10% algae; iv) PUFA-free with 15% algae. After 32 days the levels
of plasma fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol were studied.
Results: Rats fed the PUFA-free diet demonstrated an absence of linolenic
acid (LNA) in plasma; however, supplementation with algae resulted in
the same level of LNA as controls, an increased levels of eicosapentaenoic
acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and a decreased level of arachidonic acid.
Dietary supplementation with 10% and 15% algae decreased the plasma cholesterol
to 54% and 25% of the control level, respectively (P<0.0005). Plasma
triglyceride levels decreased significantly (P<0.005) after diet supplementation
with 15% algae.
Conclusion: Algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is
a good source of PUFA and because of potential hypocholesterolemic properties
should be a valuable nutritional resource.
JANA, vol. 2, No. 3, 2000, pp. 59-65
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AFA health benefits: study
of Cholesterol
Blue-Green Algae (AFA)has Dual Cholesterol Lowering Abilities
ANAHEIM, Calif., March 22 -- Researchers say they have confirmed, for
the first time, that blue-green algae taken as a nutritional supplement
can significantly lower cholesterol in animals. Furthermore, the algae
works in two ways to reduce cholesterol according to the scientists,
who were speaking today at a national meeting of the American Chemical
Society, the world's largest scientific society.
The alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a novel dietary supplement
already available on the market. AFA contains significant amounts of
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), according to Christian Drapeau of
Cell Tech in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He says that the algae's PUFAs seem
to be exceptionally well absorbed by animals. Over the past decade, other
research has suggested that PUFAs reduce blood cholesterol and that PUFA
deficiency is linked with cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome,
certain forms of cancer, attention deficit disorder, and more.
In addition to providing PUFAs, Drapeau says the cholesterol-lowering
effects of AFA are "likely to be mediated by something else though
this alternative mechanism remains unidentified." He adds that,
in his experiments with rats, the beneficial effects seem to be independent
of the PUFAs present.
Drapeau says this is one of the first studies that provides scientific
data supporting the numerous testimonials and empirical evidence that
have encouraged the use of AFA as a dietary supplement for health benefits.
He cautions, however, "we are currently doing studies to determine
if the effects of AFA on cholesterol in rats will translate to humans."
Drapeau collaborated with researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital,
which is affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
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