title: Oral administration of hot water extracts of Chlorella vulgaris increases physical stamina in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A unicellular algae, Chlorella vulgaris, was used as a biological response modifier. Although hot water extracts of C. vulgaris (CVE) are thought to augment immune responses, the effect of CVE on fatigue and physical stamina has not been studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we investigated the effect of CVE on forced swimming test and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose (Glc), and total protein (TP). CVE (0.05-0.15 g/kg/day) was orally administered to mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 7 days, the immobility time was decreased in the 0.1- and 0.15-g/kg CVE-treated groups (179 +/- 8.3 and 175 +/- 2.1 s) in comparison with the control group (223 +/- 5.4 s). In addition, the contents of BUN, CK, and LDH in the blood serum were decreased in the CVE-fed group. However, they had no effect on the elevation of Glc and TP level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results predict a potential benefit of CVE for enhancing immune function and improving physical stamina.
authors.affiliation: College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Hyun-Myung
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyeung-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jae-Gab
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Eun-Hee
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young-Sig
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jae-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Um
authors.forename: Seung-Heon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Hyung-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000737:chemistry; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D045022:Lactate Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D045022:Lactate Dehydrogenases; D003402:Creatine Kinase