title: Ingestion of Chlorella reduced the oxidation of erythrocyte membrane lipids in senior Japanese subjects.
abstract: Accumulation of phospholipid hydroperoxide (PLOOH) in erythrocyte membranes is an abnormality found in patients with senile dementia, including those with Alzheimer's disease. In our previous studies, dietary xanthophylls (polar carotenoids such as lutein) were hypothesized to inhibit lipid peroxidation. In the present study, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial to assess the impact for a total of 2 months Chlorella supplementation (8 g Chlorella/day/person; equivalent to 22.9 mg lutein/day/person) on PLOOH and carotenoid concentrations in erythrocytes as well as plasma of 12 normal senior subjects. After 1 or 2 months of treatment, erythrocytes and plasma lutein concentrations increased in the Chlorella group but not in the placebo group. In the Chlorella-supplemented group, erythrocyte PLOOH concentrations after a total of 2 months of treatment were lower than the concentrations before supplementation. These results suggest that Chlorella ingestion improved erythrocyte antioxidant status and lowered PLOOH concentrations. These reductions might contribute to maintaining the normal function of erythrocytes and prevent the development of senile dementia.
authors.affiliation: Food and Biodynamic Chemistry Laboratory, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University.
authors.forename: Taiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
authors.forename: Kiyotaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takekoshi
authors.forename: Ohki
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Momoko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: Fumiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Teruo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D044466:Asian People; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D002708:Chlorella; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000097:blood*; D014975:Lutein / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D002338:Carotenoids; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D014975:Lutein