Spirulina and C-phycocyanin reduce cytotoxicity and inflammation-related genes expression of microglial cells.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to investigate the effects of Spirulina on BV-2 microglial cell cytotoxicity and inflammatory genes expression.


METHODS
BV-2 microglial cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 µg/ml) and various concentrations of Spirulina platensis water extract or its active component (C-phycocyanin (C-PC)) for 24 hours. Cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release) and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs were assayed.


RESULTS
LPS increased LDH production and up-regulated expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 by BV-2 microglial cells. However, Spirulina platensis water extract and C-PC significantly reduced LPS-induced LDH release, and expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNAs.


CONCLUSIONS
Spirulina can reduce the cytotoxicity and inhibit expression of inflammation-related genes of LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells.
Jin-Cherng
JC
Chen
Kris Sun
KS
Liu
Ting-Ju
TJ
Yang
Juen-Haur
JH
Hwang
Yin-Ching
YC
Chan
I-Te
IT
Lee
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010798:Phycocyanin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053545:Spirulina; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D010798:Phycocyanin; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; C077623:Ptgs2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2