Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 polymorphism interaction with spirulina immunomodulatory effects in healthy Korean elderly: A 16 week, double-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESSpirulina is a known a functional food related to lipid profiles, immune functions, and antioxidant capacity. Circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level is associated with inflammation markers. Single nucleotide polymorphism in the MCP-1 promoter region -2518 have been identified and shown to affect gene transcription. Gene variation may also impact functional food supplementary effects. The current study investigated the interaction of MCP-1 -2518 polymorphism with spirulina supplements on anti-inflammatory capacity in Korean elderly.SUBJECTS/METHODSAfter genotyping, healthy elderly subjects (n = 78) were included in a randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled study. Baseline characteristic, body composition, and dietary intake were measured twice (baseline vs. week 16). For 16 weeks, subjects consumed 8 g either spirulina or placebo daily. Plasma MCP-1, interleukin (IL) -2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, complement (C) 3, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and Ig A concentrations and lymphocyte proliferation rate (LPR) were analyzed as inflammatory markers.RESULTSIn the placebo group with A/A genotype, MCP-1 level was significantly increased, but the spirulina group with A/A genotype was unchanged. IL-2 was significantly increased only in subjects with spirulina supplementation. TNF-α was significantly reduced in subjects with the G carrier. C3 was significantly increased in the placebo group, particularly when A/A increased more than G, but not when spirulina was ingested. LPR was significantly different only in subjects with A/A genotype; there was a significant increase in phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide induced LPR in the spirulina group.CONCLUSIONIn healthy Korean elderly, spirulina supplementation may influence different inflammatory markers by the MCP-1 genotype. These results may be useful for customized dietary guidelines to improve immune function in Koreans.

Spirulina supplementation and oxidative stress and pro‐inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled clinical trials

“…At first, significant increasing effect on IL‐2 concentrations was observed following spirulina supplementation (SMD = 2.69 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.26, 5.11; P = .03) according to our analysis on seven arms of clinical trials (Figure 3A), however, the results were insignificant (SMD = 0.54 pg/mL; 95% CI: −1.29, 2.27; P > .05) after removing Park (2017) study 31 because of its large and heterogenic effect size. Remarkable heterogeneity was observed between studies ( P < .001, I 2 = 97.6%).…”

“…Subjects with various health conditions were involved in included studies. Two studies involved hypertensive patients, 22,23 one study recruited patients with allergic rhinitis, 24 one study enrolled diabetic patients 25 and the other studies investigated the effect of spirulina supplementation on healthy subjects 10,26‐31 . Furthermore, location of studies execution were as follows: four in Korea, 10,25,29,31 one in California, 24 one in Mexico, 23 one in Poland, 22 one in Greece, 30 one in Iran, 28 one in Brazil, 26 and one in Taiwan 27 …”

Food and drug industry applications of microalgae Spirulina platensis: A review

“…The results make it easier to develop customized diet plans that help the immune system work better [32].…”

“…The Spirulina supplement changes how the MCP‐1 genotype reveals inflammation. The results make it easier to develop customized diet plans that help the immune system work better [32].…”

The efficacy of dietary Spirulina as an adjunct to chemotherapy to improve immune function and reduce myelosuppression in patients with malignant tumors

“…Other research has demonstrated that Spirulina can enhance innate immunity in mice and inhibit tumor growth by modulating the balance between interleukin (IL)-17/IL-23 and interferon (IFN)-γ ( 11 ). An investigation in elderly Korean participants found that Spirulina supplementation may influence the expression of inflammatory markers like IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α through monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), suggesting that Spirulina is useful for improving immune function ( 12 ). Spirulina has also been widely applied to patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).…”