Chlorella Group Research Articles

Combined Aerobic Exercise Training and Chlorella Intake Reduces Arterial Stiffness through Enhanced Arterial Nitric Oxide Production in Obese Rats.

This study aimed to assess the effect of a combination of aerobic exercise training (ET) and Chlorella (CH) intake on arterial nitric oxide (NO) production and arterial stiffness in obese rats. Twenty-week-old obese male rats were randomly grouped into four (n = 6): OBESE-SED (sedentary control), OBESE-ET (treadmill 25 m/min, 1 h, 5 d/week), OBESE-CH (0.5% Chlorella powder in normal diet), and OBESE-ET+CH (combination of ET and CH intake) groups. The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), an index of arterial stiffness, was significantly lesser in the OBESE-ET, OBESE-CH, and OBESE-ET+CH groups than in the OBESE-SED group, and in the OBESE-ET+CH group significantly further enhanced these effects compared with the OBESE-ET and OBESE-CH groups. Additionally, arterial nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels were significantly greater in the OBESE-ET, OBESE-CH, and OBESE-ET+CH groups than in the OBESE-SED group, and the OBESE-ET+CH group compared with the OBESE-ET and OBESE-CH groups. Furthermore, arterial NOx levels were positively correlated with arterial endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation levels (r = 0.489, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with cfPWV (r = -0.568, p < 0.05). In conclusion, a combination of ET and CH intake may reduce arterial stiffness via an enhancement of the arterial NO signaling pathway in obese rats.

Anti-diabetic Activity of Spirulina and Chlorella in In vivo Experimental Rats

The effects of supplying experimental rats with unicellular green algae Chlorella and tiny filamentous cyanobacteria Spirulina, on type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were examined in the present study. Eight sets of male Sprague-Dawley albino rats, each with six individuals, were used in the investigation. Throughout the trial, Group 1 was the negative control group and was given saline regularly. Group 2 was given alloxan to induce diabetes. Spirulina was given to groups 3, 4, and 5 at dosages of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight, respectively, after diabetes induction. Similarly, groups 6, 7, and 8 received dosages of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight of Chlorella, respectively. The findings indicated that the control group had significantly higher levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), blood sugar, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and considerably lower levels of insulin, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and phospholipids. However, rats given Spirulina (groups 3, 4, and 5) showed notably higher insulin, HDL, and phospholipids levels and significantly lower blood glucose, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, and triglycerides levels. Rats fed with Chlorella (groups 6, 7, and 8) also showed increased effectiveness of feed ratios, greater final weights, and body weight growth percentages compared to the control group. The present study shows that supplementing with Spirulina and Chlorella improves insulin lipid patterns, blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes in vivo laboratory rats. According to the research, Spirulina and Chlorella may be used as functional meals to help control and cure diabetes.

Chlorella alleviates the intestinal damage of tilapia caused by microplastics

Polyethylene microplastics (MPs) of the different sizes may result in different response in fish. Studies showed microorganisms adhered to the surface of MPs have toxicological effect. Juveniles tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, n = 600, 26.5 ± 0.6 g) were dispersed into six groups: the control group (A), 75 nm MP exposed group (B), 7.5 μm group (C) and 750 (D) μm group, 75 nm + 7.5 μm+750 μm group (E) and 75 nm + Chlorella vulgaris group (F), and exposed for 10 and 14 days. The intestinal histopathological change, enzymic activities, and the integrated “omics” workflows containing transcriptomics, proteomics, microbiota and metabolomes, have been performed in tilapia. Results showed that MPs were distributed on the surface of goblet cells, Chlorella group had severe villi fusion without something like intestinal damage, as in other MPs groups. The intestinal Total Cholesterol (TC, together with group E) and Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα, except for group B) contents in group F were significantly increased, cytochrome p450 1a1 (EROD, group B and E) significantly increased, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and caspase 3 (except group B) also significantly increased at 14 d. At 14 days, group E saw considerably higher regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion, insulin signaling pathway, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetes complications. Whereas, chlorella enhanced the focal adhesion, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and MAPK signaling pathways. PPAR signaling pathway has been extremely significantly enriched via the proteomics method. Candidatus latescibacteria, C. uhrbacteria, C. abyssubacteria, C. cryosericota significantly decreased caused by MPs of different particle sizes. Carboxylic acids and derivatives, indoles and derivatives, organooxygen compounds, fatty acyls and organooxygen compounds significantly increased with long-term duration, especially PPAR signaling pathway. MPs had a size-dependent long-term effect on histopathological change, gene and protein expression, and gut microbial metabolites, while chlorella alleviates the intestinal histopathological damage via the integrated “omics” workflows.

The effect of Chlorella supplementation in pregnant women with low-grade inflammation.

Pregnancy dramatically changes maternal metabolism and the microbiome. Low-grade inflammation can cause maternal complications and fetal abnormalities. The objective of this open-label, randomized, controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orally administered Chlorella, a green alga that is commercially available as a dietary supplement with rich nutrients and dietary fiber for pregnant women with low-grade inflammation. Patients with C-reactive protein levels >0.05 mg/dL (16 weeks gestation, n = 22) were enrolled and randomly allocated to the Chlorella group (n = 10) or control group (n = 12). We conducted blood biochemical tests at 25, 30, and 35 weeks gestation and evaluated the evacuation status (symptoms depending on the Rome IV C2 criteria and laxative usage), side effects, and complications throughout the investigation. We also monitored the status of the offspring. The Chlorella group (n = 0) showed a significantly lower rate of constipation than the control group (n = 8). This study demonstrated the beneficial effects and safety of Chlorella supplementation in pregnant women, which prevented constipation and unnecessary laxative administration.

Use of green microalgae Chlorella as a nutritional supplement to support oocyte and embryo production in goats

This study aimed to evaluate the use of green microalgae as a nutritional supplement for oocyte and embryo production in goats. Two experiments were performed on adult goats to obtain oocytes (EVO; n = 14) and in vivo embryos (IVD; n = 14). In both, the donors were divided into control (n = 7) and Chlorella (n = 7) groups. All goats received a base diet, and donors were orally supplemented with Chlorella pyrenoidosa (CH) in the Chlorella groups. For EVO, donors received 10 g CH for 14 days, and for IVD, 20 g CH was given for six days before embryo recovery. In EVO and IVD, food intake in the CH group was comparatively low, and it showed relatively high subcutaneous adipose deposition. In addition, the CH group exhibited an increase in triglyceride, cholesterol, and plasma glucose levels. In IVD, a significant increase in peripheral glutathione peroxidase levels was noticed. In EVO, the CH group showed relatively large follicular size and an increase in intrafollicular levels of triglycerides, glucose, and glutathione peroxidase. No differences were observed in the oocyte collected, and CH oocytes showed a low intensity of MitoTracker fluorescence (MT). In IVD, the CH group had a high proportion of transferable embryos, and these structures exhibited high fluorescence intensities for MT and H2DCFDA probes. We concluded that under these conditions, CH did not enhance the quality of the recovered oocytes. However, a daily dose of 20 g CH improved the quality of embryos and stimulated their mitochondrial functionality.

Application of Five Different Chlorella sp. Microalgal Strains for the Treatment of Vegetation Waters Derived from Unconventional Oil Extractions Enriched with Citrus Byproducts

The Mediterranean diet has, among its cornerstones, the use of olive oil for its nutraceutical and organoleptic properties. Despite the numerous merits, olive-oil mill wastewater (OMWW), which is generated by the olive-oil extraction process, is one of the most serious environmental pollutants in the Mediterranean countries. The polluting potential of OMWW is due to its high content of tannins, polyphenols, polyalcohols, pectins and lipids. In order to close the recovery cycle of a fortified citrus olive oils previously developed, we tested the ability of five microalgae of the Chlorella group (SEC_LI_ChL_1, CL_Sc, CL_Ch, FB and Idr) in lowering the percentage of total phenolic compounds in vegetation water. This was obtained with three different extraction processes (conventional, and lemon and orange peels) at three concentrations each (10%, 25% and 50%). The results showed that strains Idr, FB and CL_Sc from the Lake Massaciuccoli can tolerate vegetation water from conventional and lemon peel extractions up to 25%; these strains can also reduce the phenolic compounds within the tests. The application of microalgae for OMWW treatment represents an interesting opportunity as well as an eco-friendly low-cost solution to be developed within companies as a full-scale approach, which could be applied to obtain a fortified microalgal biomass to be employed in nutraceutical fields.

Bioremediation of hemotoxic and oxidative stress induced by polyethylene microplastic in Clarias gariepinus using lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella

Despite extensive research on the toxic effects of microplastics (MPs), there is no obtainable data on the use of phytobioremediation against MPs toxicity in fish. This study aimed to investigate the protective role of lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella against the toxic effects of MPs in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using hematology, biochemical, antioxidants, erythron profiles (poikilocytosis and nuclear abnormalities) and the accumulation of MPs in tissues as biomarkers. Five groups of fish received: normal diet (control); MPs (500 mg/kg diet) (Group 2); MPs (500 mg/kg diet) + lycopene (500 mg/kg diet) (Group 3); MPs (500 mg/kg diet) + citric acid (30 g/kg diet) (Group 4); and MPs (500 mg/kg diet) + chlorella (50 g/kg diet) (Group 5) for 15 days. Group 2 had significantly higher amounts of MPs in the stomach, gills, and feces, electrolyte imbalances (HCO3, Fe, Na+, K+, Ca+2, Cl−, and anion gap, hematobiochemical alterations, and decreases in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione S-transferases compared to the control group. Additionally, Group 2 had significant increase in the percentage of poikilocytosis, and nuclear abnormalities in RBC's compared to the control group. The co-treatment of MPs-exposed fish with lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella-supplemented diets ameliorated the hematological, biochemical, and erythron profile alterations, but only slightly enhanced the antioxidant activity. Overall, lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella can be recommended as a feed supplement to improve hematobiochemical alterations and oxidative damage induced by MPs toxicity in the African catfish (C. gariepinus).

Effect of using Spirulina and Chlorella as feed additives for elevating immunity status of Nile tilapia experimentally infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

The present trial was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary incorporation of dried Spirulina, Chlorella and their mixture on the immune status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) before and after artificial infection with pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila). Two hundred and forty fish were divided into four groups: (a) a control group fed on a basal diet only, (b) a second group fed on a diet containing Spirulina 15%, (c) a third group fed on a diet containing Chlorella 15%, and (d) a fourth group fed on a diet containing a mixture of both Spirulina 15% and Chlorella 15%. At the end of the experiment (9 weeks), the four groups were experimentally infected with A. hydrophila for 7 days. Antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme and bactericidal activities and histopathological changes were determined just before the challenge test and 7 days post-challenge. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in fish body protein% before the challenge test and increases in serum antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme and bactericidal activity in the Chlorella and algal mixture groups before and after the challenge test were observed. Spirulina, Chlorella and their mixture groups significantly decreased serum malondialdehyde compared to the control group before and after the challenge test. Using Spirulina, Chlorella and their mixture mitigated the necrotic and degenerative changes induced by A. hydrophila and revealed well-developed and multiple melanomacrophage centres. Thus, dietary Spirulina, Chlorella and their mixture inclusion in Nile tilapia fish proved to have a protective effect against A. hydrophila infection.

The Utilization of Algae with the Aim to Increase the Fatty Acid Content in Muscle of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of feeds with the addition of various algae and cyanobacteria. Common carp (average body mass of 19.6 ± 3.49 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed a commercial feed (control group), the same commercial feed with the addition of 10 % of dry green algae of the genus Chlorella (chlorella group), dry biomass of algae from waste water treatment (algae group), and lyophilized toxic cyanobacterial biomass of the genus Microcystis (microcystis group). After 29 days of the experiment, standard indices for the assessment of feed utilization, external characteristics, fish condition, chemical composition of muscles and composition of fatty acids were measured. The feed variants with the addition of green algae (chlorella and algae groups) appeared to be nutritionally more favorable in our experiment. A higher content of PUFAs and total amount of fats (expressed in units of weight) were found in the groups of fish fed the green algae and algae from waste water treatment supplemented feed.

Effect of chlorella supplementation on systematic symptoms and serum levels of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most commonly reported disorders for women that have unfavorable effects on patient's quality of life. Based on the evidences that suggest the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of chlorella, this double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of Chlorella supplementation on the severity of menstrual pain in a group of young women with primary dysmenorrhea. In this clinical trial, 44 girls with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group received 1500 mg/day of chlorella as 5 soft gel and the control group received placebo soft gels for eight weeks. Menstrual and food information were collected using a previously validated and published questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), ProstaglandinF2a (PGF2a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed at baseline and end of week eight. In chlorella supplemented group the PGE2, PGF2a, hs-CRP and MDA decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The severity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea (fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, lack of energy) decreased in the chlorella group (p < 0.05). The mean of menstrual characteristics, anthropometric indices and daily energy and macronutrient intake in both intervention and control groups were not changed significantly. This study showed that chlorella supplementation could decrease the severity of pain and systemic symptoms and improve serum levels of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Effects of aerobic exercise combined with chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall on some indicators of lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet

To study the effects of aerobic exercise combined with chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall on the lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet. Fifty-five male Wistar rats were subjected to adaptive feeding for 4 days and weight-free swimming training for 3 days, 20 min/d. After eliminating 5 rats that were not suitable for swimming training, the other rats were randomly divided into 5 groups according to their body weight:control group (C group), high fat diet group (H group), high-fat diet + chlorella group(HC group), high fat diet + aerobic exercise group (HM group), high fat diet + chlorella + aerobic exercise group (HMC group), 10 in each group. The HM and HMC group were subjected to 60 min/d swimming training for 6 weeks with non-weight-bearing. Group C were fed regular diet. The other groups were fed with high-fat diet, the rats in group HC and HMC were intragastrically treated with chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall at the dose of 3.9 g/(kg·d), the volume was 5 ml/kg, and the other groups are given equivalent saline. The Lee's index and biochemical indexes of blood and liver were measured after 6 weeks. Compared with group C, Lee's index, serum levels of free fatty acids(FFA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), liver FFA and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were increased significantly (P<0.01), the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was decreased significantly (P<0.01) in group H. Compared with group H, Lee's index, serum FFA, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, LDL-c, liver FFA and IL-10 were decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01), serum level of HDL-c was increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in group HC, HM and HMC. Compared with group HC and HM, Lee's index, serum FFA, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, LDL-c, liver FFA and IL-10 were decreased significantly (P<0.05), serum level of HDL-c was increased significantly (P<0.05) in group HMC. Aerobic exercise and chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall can improve lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet and reduce the lipid toxicity caused by obesity. Joint intervention is more effective than single intervention.

Chlorella Intake Further Enhances Anaerobic And Aerobic Capacities Increased By High Intensity Intermittent Training

High intensity intermittent training (HIIT) enhances anaerobic and aerobic capacities. Our recent study have demonstrated in animal study that the 6-week combination of chlorella intake and HIIT further elevated glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation as ATP supply in skeletal muscle as compared with chlorella alone and HIIT alone, resulting in enhancement of anaerobic and aerobic exercise capacities. However, the combined effects of chlorella intake and HIIT on anaerobic and aerobic capacities in human remain unclear. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of chlorella intake and HIIT further enhanced anaerobic and aerobic capacities as compared with HIIT alone in human. METHODS: Twelve healthy young male subjects (21 ± 1 years) were participated in this study. Subjects completed 3-week of exhaustive HIIT, consisting of 6-7 bouts of 20-second cycling on a leg ergometer at an intensity of 170% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) with a 10-second rest between each bout, 3 days/week. They orally took chlorella or placebo (10 tablets) after the breakfast and dinner between the 3-week in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design with 4 weeks between each intervention. We measured VO2max as an indicator of aerobic capacity and maximal oxygen deficit (MOD) as an indicator of anaerobic capacity. RESULTS: After each HIIT intervention, VO2max was significantly increased in both chlorella and placebo groups (P<0.05). However, the amount of change in VO2max after the intervention was significantly higher in chlorella intake than placebo intake (P<0.05). After each HIIT intervention, MOD was significantly increased in both chlorella and placebo groups (P<0.05). However, the amount of change in MOD after the intervention was significantly higher in chlorella intake than placebo intake (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the combination of chlorella intake and HIIT may further enhance anaerobic and aerobic capacities in human. Supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (#17H02183, #16K13059, M. Iemitsu)

Hepatoprotective Impact of Chlorella vulgaris Powder on Deltamethrin Intoxicated Rats

This study was conducted to evaluate the possible protective impact of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) on liver tissues of adult male albino rats intoxicated with deltamethrin (DLM). Thirty-two adult rats were divided into four equal groups. The control group was orally administered 0.5 mL normal saline once daily for eight weeks. The second (Chlorella group (CV)) and third (Deltamethrin group (DLM)) groups, were orally received 50 mg C. vulgaris powder/kg BW and deltamethrin 3 mg/kg BW once daily for eight weeks respectively, while the fourth group was orally received CV and DLM together, with the same previous mentioned doses and duration. DLM treated group induced a significant elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. Liver oxidant/antioxidant status was altered due to DLM intoxication. Meanwhile, C. vulgaris powdernormalized the changes of ALT and ALP activities. Moreover, it improved oxidant/antioxidant status of the liver related to DLM intoxication. C. vulgaris supplementation could overcome the DLM-induced hepatotoxicity through eliminating the oxidative tissue injuries.

Nutrient Removal and Algal Community Variation from Urban River with the Isolated Microalgal Strains &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Chlorella&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; sp. and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Scenedesmus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; sp.

The objectives of this study were to determine nutrient removal rates and algal community variation using the isolated microalgal strains Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. from an urban river water. The concentration of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in river water declined after pouring into Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp., it was indicated that the Scenedesmus sp. had respective advantage in removing nitrogen (86% removal rate) and Chlorella sp. in removing phosphorous (95% removal rate). The algae community composition showed extreme sensitivity to change in the joint of the Scenedesmus or Chlorella, respectively, the lower diversity and higher dominance of algae can be observed in Scenedesmus group, there existed an opposite tendency in Chlorella group. The results demonstrated that the high potential of using Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. for nutrient removal from riverwater.

Effect of Chlorella Ingestion on Oxidative Stress and Fatigue Symptoms in Healthy Men.

We examined the effects of dietary chlorella ingestion on oxidative stress and fatigue symptoms in healthy men under resting and fatigue conditions. We conducted a double-blind, parallel-arm controlled study. Twenty-seven healthy male volunteers (mean age, 35.4±10.4 years) were randomly divided into the chlorella and placebo groups, and received chlorella (6 g/day) and lactose as placebo (7.2 g/day), respectively, for 4 weeks. To simulate mild fatigue, subjects underwent exercise (40% of the heart rate reserve) for 30 minutes. Fatigue was measured using the visual analog scale of fatigue (F-VAS) pre- and post-exercise. Serum antioxidant capacity (AC), malondialdehyde levels, and other indices of oxidative stress were measured pre- and post-exercise. All measurements were repeated after the intervention period and the results were compared with baseline measurements. Under resting conditions, AC significantly increased after the intervention period in the chlorella group, but not in the placebo group. Malondialdehyde levels after the intervention period were significantly lower in the chlorella group than in the placebo group. There were no significant differences in any of the oxidative-stress indices measured pre- and post-exercise, either before or after intervention, in either group. F-VAS significantly increased after exercise at all measurement time-points in both groups, except after the intervention period in the chlorella group. Under fatigue conditions, there were no significant differences in oxidative stress indices between the groups. Our results suggest that chlorella ingestion has the potential to relieve oxidative stress and enhance tolerance for fatigue under resting conditions.

The effect of Chlorella pyrenoidosa supplementation on immune responses to 2\xa0days of intensified training

PurposePeriods 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.MethodsTwenty-six subjects (age 29.1 ± 8.7 years; VO2max 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: VO2max test; high-intensity interval training (HIIT, 3 × 30 s Wingate sprints); 90 min at ~60% VO2max; 3 × 30 s HIIT].ResultsChlorella 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).ConclusionSupplementation with Chlorella has beneficial effects on resting sIgA, which might be beneficial during periods of intensified training.

The effect of dietary Chlorella vulgaris inclusion on goat's milk chemical composition, fatty acids profile and enzymes activities related to oxidation.

The impact of dietary supplementation with microalgae on goat's milk chemical composition, fatty acids (FA) profile and enzymes activities related to antioxidant mechanism has not been well documented. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris on the following: (i) milk yield, chemical composition and FA profile, (ii) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood plasma and (iii) the activities of SOD, GR and lactoperoxidase (LPO) in milk of goats. Furthermore, the oxidative stress indicators for measuring total antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity [ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays] and oxidative stress biomarkers [malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls (PC)] were also determined in blood plasma and milk of the animals. For this purpose, 16 cross-bred goats were divided into two homogenous groups. Each goat of both groups was fed individually with alfalfa hay and concentrates separately. The concentrates of the control group (Control) had no microalgae, while those of the Chlorella group were supplemented with 10g lyophilized Chlorella vulgaris/kg concentrates (Chlorella). Thus, the average intake was 5.15g Chlorella vulgaris/kg DM. The results showed that the dietary inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris had not noticeable impact on goat's milk yield, chemical composition and FA profile. Significantly higher SOD (by 10.31%) and CAT (by 18.66%) activities in the blood plasma of goats fed with Chlorella vulgaris compared with the control were found. Moreover, the dietary supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris caused a significant increase in SOD (by 68.84%) activity and a reduction in PC (by 24.07%) content in goat's milk. In conclusion, the Chlorella vulgaris inclusion in goat's diets improved the antioxidant status of both animals and milk.

Effects of microcystin-producing and microcystin-freeMicrocystis aeruginosa on enzyme activity and nutrient content in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus.

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms disrupt freshwater recreation and adversely affect zooplankton. The freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa produces microcystins, which are compounds toxic to rotifers. This study evaluated the effects of M. aeruginosa on enzyme activity and nutrient content in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas. The rotifers were fed on Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Scenedesmus obliquus, microcystin-producing and microcystin-free M. aeruginosa alone, and mixtures of green algae combined with toxic and nontoxic cyanobacteria, respectively. Activities of amylase, pepsase, trypsin, cellulase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assessed after rotifer exposure to an environmental stressor. Nutrients analyzed were glycogen, protein, and triglyceride (TG). Single cyanobacteria and mixtures combined with toxic M. aeruginosa inhibited SOD activity. CAT and GPx activities significantly increased in rotifers fed with the mixture of Chlorella and toxic cyanobacteria. The activity of digestive enzymes increased compared with the Chlorella group in single and mixed diets. Glycogen and protein decreased in Microcystis mixtures, whereas TG content increased. The grazing rate (G) of the rotifers decreased with grazing time. High G value was observed with green algae in every treatment group. Although the toxins released after grazing on Microcystis affected rotifer enzyme activity and nutrient content, B. calyciflorus changed its physiological performance and grazing intensity with food type in response to eutrophic conditions.

A dietary cholesterol challenge study to assess Chlorella supplementation in maintaining healthy lipid levels in adults: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BackgroundPrevious animal studies suggested that Chlorella, a unicellular green alga, has a preventive role in maintaining serum cholesterol levels against excess dietary cholesterol intake. This study aimed to conduct a pioneering investigation to clarify this issue in healthy subjects by adopting a dietary cholesterol challenge, which has not been used previously in similar studies of Chlorella in hypercholesterolemia.MethodsIn this double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 34 participants ingested 510 mg of dietary cholesterol from three eggs concomitantly with a usual dose of Chlorella (5 g/d) or a matched placebo for 4 weeks.ResultsThe dietary cholesterol challenge induced consistently higher concentrations of serum total cholesterol (TC, P < 0.001), LDL-C (P = 0.004), and HDL-C (P = 0.010) compared with baseline values, suggesting that the challenge was reliable. Thus, we observed a preventive action of Chlorella in maintaining serum TC versus placebo levels (3.5 % versus 9.8 %, respectively; P = 0.037) and LDL-C versus placebo levels (1.7 % versus 14.3 %, respectively; P = 0.012) against excessive dietary cholesterol intake and in augmenting HDL-C versus placebo levels (8.3 % versus 3.8 %, respectively). Furthermore, serum α-carotene showed the best separation between the placebo and Chlorella groups (R2X and R2Y > 0.5; Q2 > 0.4).ConclusionThe results suggest that a fully replicated dietary cholesterol challenge may be useful in assessing the effectiveness of dietary supplements in maintaining the serum lipid profiles of adults whose habitual diets are high in cholesterol.Trial registrationWHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (KCT0000258)

Changes in arterial stiffness and nitric oxide production with Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation in middle-aged and older individuals.

Chlorella is a unicellular green alga, which contains a variety of nutrients including amino acids, dietary fibers, n-3 unsaturated fatty acid, vitamins, and minerals. We previously demonstrated that Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation decreases arterial stiffness in young men. However, mechanisms underlying the reduction in arterial stiffness by Chlorella-derived supplementation and the effect in middle-aged and older individuals have remained unexplored. This study tested our hypothesis that Chlorella-derived supplementation improves arterial stiffness via an increase in nitric oxide (NO, a endothelium-derived relaxing factor) production in middle-aged and older individuals. Thirty-two subjects between 45 and 75 years of age assigned to placebo and Chlorella groups in a double-blinded manner and took respective tablets for 4 weeks. Before and after the supplementations, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV, an index of arterial stiffness) and plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx, end product of NO) concentration were measured. There was no difference in baPWV between before and after the placebo intake, but baPWV decreased after the Chlorella supplementation. Changes in baPWV with the Chlorella supplementation were correlated with those in plasma NOx concentration. We concluded that Chlorella-derived multicomponent supplementation decreases arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older individuals. It may be associated with increase in NO production by vascular endothelium.