Oral administration of hot water extracts of Chlorella vulgaris increases physical stamina in mice.
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.
An
Hyo-Jin
HJ
College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
Choi
Hyun-Myung
HM
Park
Hyeung-Suk
HS
Han
Jae-Gab
JG
Lee
Eun-Hee
EH
Park
Young-Sig
YS
Um
Jae-Young
JY
Hong
Seung-Heon
SH
Kim
Hyung-Min
HM
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
D045022:Lactate Dehydrogenases; D003402:Creatine Kinase