Changes in salivary flow rate following Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation

Bioactivity of Macronutrients from Chlorella in Physical Exercise

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.

Emerging technologies and potential applications of algae in dentistry - A critical review

Algae are effective predecessors of nutrient foods and preventive drugs, gaining global attraction in recent years. It exhibits potent antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-glycemic, and cholesterol-lowering properties due to their richness in highly valuable secondary metabolites. Nevertheless, algae produce valuable bioproducts, its application in dentistry is in its primitive stage. This review focuses on the emergence and emerging role of micro/macroalgae as a natural source of therapeutic, preventive, and biocompatible agents in dentistry. Several studies unveiled that Cyanobacteria, Spirulina, and Chlorella species offer high oral antibacterial and antifungal properties compared to gold standard agents. The characteristic of algae to scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl free radicals, fabricate them as an anti-oxidative and anti-cancer agent. Either alone or by synergism with pinnacle therapies they are found to produce promising curative actions against periodontitis by embattling proinflammatory cytokines. Technologies extend the functions of microalgae as a detoxifying agent, potent drug delivery system, and adjunct regenerative material in chronic periodontitis. Its application as thickening, binding, anticariogenic agent in toothpaste, antibacterial agent in mouthwash, and biocompatible agent in dental impression materials remains very primitive. Low-cost and eco-friendly technologies are needed for the production of oral hygiene products using algal biomass.

Cyanobacteria and Microalgae as Sources of Functional Foods to Improve Human General and Oral Health

In the scenario of promising sources of functional foods and preventive drugs, microalgae and cyanobacteria are attracting global attention. In this review, the current and future role of microalgae as natural sources of functional foods for human health and, in particular, for oral health has been reported and discussed in order to provide an overview on the state of art on microalgal effects on human oral health. It is well known that due to their richness in high-valuable products, microalgae offer good anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-glycemic, cholesterol-lowering, and antimicrobial activity. Moreover, the findings of the present research show that microalgae could also have a significant impact on oral health: several studies agree on the potential application of microalgae for oral cancer prevention as well as for the treatment of chronic periodontitis and different oral diseases with microbial origin. Thus, beneficial effects of microalgae could be implemented in different medical fields. Microalgae and cyanobacteria could represent a potential natural alternative to antibiotic, antiviral, or antimycotic therapies, as well as a good supplement for the prevention and co-adjuvant treatment of different oral diseases. Nevertheless, more studies are required to identify strains of interest, increase overall functioning, and make safe, effective products available for the whole population.

The effect of Chlorella pyrenoidosa supplementation on immune responses to 2 days of intensified training

Purpose

Periods of intensified training are associated with immune disturbances, The aim was to investigate the effects of supplementation with Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Chlorella) on secretory IgA (sIgA) responses to 2 days intensified training.

Methods

Twenty-six subjects (age 29.1 ± 8.7 years; VO_2max 53.7 ± 11.7 ml kg min⁻¹) provided resting saliva samples for determination of sIgA, at baseline (week-0) and following 4, 5, and 6 weeks (weeks-4, -5, -6) of daily supplementation with 6 g/day Chlorella (n = 13) or placebo (PLA, n = 13). During week-4 a 2-day intensified training period was undertaken [morning and afternoon sessions each day, respectively: VO_2max test; high-intensity interval training (HIIT, 3 × 30 s Wingate sprints); 90 min at ~60% VO_2max; 3 × 30 s HIIT].

Results

Chlorella increased resting sIgA secretion rate (trial × time, P = 0.016: no change with PLA but increases with Chlorella at week-4, week-5 and week-6, P = 0.020, <0.001, and 0.016). PLA vs Chlorella: week-0 = 54 ± 33 vs 57 ± 37 µg/min; week-4 = 54 ± 35 vs 83 ± 57 µg/min; week-5 = 63 ± 46 vs 98 ± 47 µg/min; week-6 = 58 ± 35 vs 85 ± 59 µg/min. Minimal acute changes in sIgA were seen in response to individual exercise bouts, but it was higher at some times in the Chlorella group (for bouts 2 and 3).

Conclusion

Supplementation with Chlorella has beneficial effects on resting sIgA, which might be beneficial during periods of intensified training.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00394-017-1525-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation on maximal oxygen uptake and serum vitamin B2 concentration in young men

Chlorella is a unicellular green alga that contains high levels of proteins, vitamins and minerals. The present study investigated the effects of a 4-week Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation on maximal oxygen uptake and circulating vitamin B₂ levels in healthy men. Thirty-four participants were randomly divided into two groups: placebo or Chlorella. Prior to the intervention, we observed that the intake of several minerals and soluble vitamins did not satisfy the nutrient requirements of either group by assessing the frequency of daily food intake. There was a significant negative relationship between the pre-intervention maximal oxygen uptake and serum vitamin B₂ concentrations in all subjects (r = −0.372). Maximal oxygen uptake significantly increased after Chlorella supplementation (before vs after, 42.1 ± 1.5 vs 44.9 ± 1.6 ml/kg/min), while serum vitamin B₂ concentrations did not (14.6 ± 0.9 vs 14.0 ± 0.9 µg/L). In conclusion, Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation increases maximal oxygen uptake in individuals with an insufficient micronutrient status, although there was no association between the increase in aerobic capacity and serum levels of vitamin B₂.

Relationship between hyposalivation and oxidative stress in aging mice

The increase in oxidative stress that accompanies aging has been implicated in the abnormal advance of aging and in the onset of various systemic diseases. However, the details of what effects the increase in oxidative stress that accompanies aging has on saliva secretion are not known. In this study, naturally aging mice were used to examine the stimulated whole saliva flow rate, saliva and serum oxidative stress, antioxidant level, submandibular gland H-E staining, and immunofluorescence staining to investigate the effect of aging on the volume of saliva secretion and the relationship with oxidative stress, as well as the effect of aging on the structure of salivary gland tissue. The stimulated whole saliva flow rate decreased significantly with age. Also, oxidative stress increased significantly with age. Antioxidant levels, however, decreased significantly with age. Structural changes of the submandibular gland accompanying aging included atrophy of parenchyma cells and fatty degeneration and fibrosis of stroma, and the submandibular gland weight ratio decreased. These results suggest that oxidative stress increases with age, not just systemically but also locally in the submandibular gland, and that oxidative stress causes changes in the structure of the salivary gland and is involved in hyposalivation.