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Lorenzo K, Santocildes G, Torrella JR, Magalhães J, Pagès T, Viscor G, Torres JL, Ramos-Romero S. Bioactivity of Macronutrients from Chlorella in Physical Exercise. Nutrients 2023; 15:2168. [PMID: 37432326 DOI: 10.3390/nu15092168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlorella is a marine microalga rich in proteins and containing all the essential amino acids. Chlorella also contains fiber and other polysaccharides, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. The proportion of the different macronutrients in Chlorella can be modulated by altering the conditions in which it is cultured. The bioactivities of these macronutrients make Chlorella a good candidate food to include in regular diets or as the basis of dietary supplements in exercise-related nutrition both for recreational exercisers and professional athletes. This paper reviews current knowledge of the effects of the macronutrients in Chlorella on physical exercise, specifically their impact on performance and recovery. In general, consuming Chlorella improves both anaerobic and aerobic exercise performance as well as physical stamina and reduces fatigue. These effects seem to be related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic activity of all its macronutrients, while each component of Chlorella contributes its bioactivity via a specific action. Chlorella is an excellent dietary source of high-quality protein in the context of physical exercise, as dietary proteins increase satiety, activation of the anabolic mTOR (mammalian Target of Rapamycin) pathway in skeletal muscle, and the thermic effects of meals. Chlorella proteins also increase intramuscular free amino acid levels and enhance the ability of the muscles to utilize them during exercise. Fiber from Chlorella increases the diversity of the gut microbiota, which helps control body weight and maintain intestinal barrier integrity, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which improve physical performance. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from Chlorella contribute to endothelial protection and modulate the fluidity and rigidity of cell membranes, which may improve performance. Ultimately, in contrast to several other nutritional sources, the use of Chlorella to provide high-quality protein, dietary fiber, and bioactive fatty acids may also significantly contribute to a sustainable world through the fixation of carbon dioxide and a reduction of the amount of land used to produce animal feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karenia Lorenzo
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Garoa Santocildes
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Ramon Torrella
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Magalhães
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LaMetEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Pagès
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ginés Viscor
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Lluís Torres
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Ramos-Romero
- Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Cheng D, Wan Z, Zhang X, Li J, Li H, Wang C. Dietary Chlorella vulgaris Ameliorates Altered Immunomodulatory Functions in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressive Mice. Nutrients 2017; 9:E708. [PMID: 28684674 PMCID: PMC5537823 DOI: 10.3390/nu9070708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on the well-known toxicity of cyclophosphamide (CYP) on the immune system, this research investigated the modulating effects of the long-term dietary Chlorella vulgaris (CV) supplementation on the immunosuppression induced by CYP in mice, in order to provide a novel dietary design to mitigate the side effects of CYP therapy. Control, CYP-treated, CYP + CV (6%), CYP + CV (12%) and CYP + CV (24%) were used for 6 weeks, CV supplement in diet recovered the significantly reduced immunological function in CYP treated mice. As CV may have a modulating function through the inducible expression of cytokines, we assayed the expressions of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-12 (IL-12), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Our results suggested that CYP significantly reduced the lymphocytes proliferation and phagocytic activities of macrophages, and stimulated the production of IL-2, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ and that this impairment has been successfully adjusted by CV supplementation. Treatment with the algae also enhanced the natural killer (NK) cells cytotoxicity, and ameliorate histological changes of the spleen in CYP-treated mice. Therefore, as we found in this study, a diet supplemented with whole CV has beneficial effects on CVP-induced immunosuppression, through its immunomodulatory potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Cheng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China.
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety and Sanitation, Ministry of Education, College of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Zhaodong Wan
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety and Sanitation, Ministry of Education, College of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety and Sanitation, Ministry of Education, College of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Jian Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China.
| | - He Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Chunling Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology & Business University (BTBU), Beijing 100048, China.
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety and Sanitation, Ministry of Education, College of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
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Kim MC, Lee GH, Kim SJ, Chung WS, Kim SS, Ko SG, Um JY. Immune-enhancing effect of Danggwibohyeoltang, an extract from Astragali Radix and Angelicae gigantis Radix, in vitro and in vivo. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2011; 34:66-73. [PMID: 21561325 DOI: 10.3109/08923973.2011.576254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Danggwibohyeoltang (DGBHT) is an oriental herbal prescription consisting of two herbs: Astragali Radix and Angelicae gigantis Radix. We examined the immune-enhancing effect of DGBHT in mice using the forced swimming test (FST) and in vitro tests in peritoneal macrophages. After daily oral administration of DGBHT, blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue were measured after the FST. The immobility time in the FST was significantly decreased in the DGBHT-treated group (200 mg/kg) on the 10th and 14th days. DGBHT (100~~200 mg/kg) treatment significantly increased glucose levels, acting as an energy source. Lactic dehydrogenase levels, which are accurate indicators of muscle damage, tended to decline after DGBHT administration (100~200 mg/kg). When DGBHT (200 mg/kg) was orally administered to mice, creatine kinase levels tended to decrease; however, this decrease was not significant. DGBHT did not have any effects on the variation of total protein and blood urea nitrogen levels. Further, we examined how DGBHT regulates cytokine production, nitric oxide (NO) production, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation in mouse peritoneal macrophages. When DGBHT was used in combination with recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-γ), there was a noticeable cooperative induction of NO production and NF-κB activation. Moreover, rIFN-γ plus DGBHT treatment of peritoneal macrophages significantly increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-12 (IL-12). These results suggest that DGBHT improves immune function through the changes in indicators related to fatigue and the regulatory effects on immunological parameters, such as TNF-α, IL-12, NO production, and NF-κB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Cheol Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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