title: Augmentation of host defense by a unicellular green alga, Chlorella vulgaris, to Escherichia coli infection.
abstract: Protection against Escherichia coli inoculated intraperitoneally into mice was enhanced by intraperitoneal, intravenous, or subcutaneous administration of a water-soluble, high-molecular-weight fraction extracted from a dialyzed hot-water extract from a strain of Chlorella vulgaris (CVE-A). The enhancing effect was detected with doses over 2.0 mg/kg and when doses were administered 1, 4, or 7 days before the infection. The elimination of bacteria from the spleen of CVE-A-treated mice was increased, and this enhanced elimination may have been related to the acceleration of superoxide generation and chemokinesis in polymorphonuclear leucocytes by CVE-A treatment. A cyclophosphamide-induced decrease in protection against E. coli could be prevented by subcutaneous administration of CVE-A.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002708:Chlorella / Q000276:immunology*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000382:microbiology; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides; D003520:Cyclophosphamide