title: Inhibitory effect of unicellular green algae (Chlorella vulgaris) water extract on allergic immune response.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chlorella is used as a functional food in East Asia and has been shown to enhance immune system function. However, there has been no direct evidence of the suppressive effect of a hot water extract of Chlorella vulgaris (CVE) on histamine-mediated allergic responses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The antihistamine activity of CVE was analysed using rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) stimulated by compound 48/80. For in vivo verification, ovalbumin (OVA)-immunised BALB/c mice were treated with CVE orally. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and splenocyte cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CVE prevented histamine release through degranulation of mast cells by blocking the uptake of extracellular Ca²⁺ into RPMCs. Moreover, CVE administration inhibited serum IgE overproduction by OVA via induction of T helper 1 (Th1) skewing that was dependent on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) secretion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study clearly demonstrate that CVE acts as an antiallergic dietary agent by suppressing histamine release via its enhancive effect on Th1-related responses.
authors: Division of Metabolism and Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62, Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seognam-si, Kyeonggi-do, 463-746, Republic of Korea.
authors: Min-Jung
authors: MJ
authors: Bae
authors: Hee Soon
authors: HS
authors: Shin
authors: Ok Hee
authors: OH
authors: Chai
authors: Jae-Gab
authors: JG
authors: Han
authors: Dong-Hwa
authors: DH
authors: Shon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015549:Basophil Degranulation Test; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000737:chemistry*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006636:Histamine Release; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D059425:Interferon-gamma Release Tests; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018664:Interleukin-12
keywords: Chlorella vulgaris water extract (CVE); IgE; Th1; histamine; mast cells