Spirulina and C-phycocyanin reduce cytotoxicity and inflammation-related genes expression of microglial cells.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Our aim was to investigate the effects of Spirulina on BV-2 microglial cell cytotoxicity and inflammatory genes expression.

METHODS:

BV-2 microglial cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 µg/ml) and various concentrations of Spirulina platensis water extract or its active component (C-phycocyanin (C-PC)) for 24 hours. Cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release) and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs were assayed.

RESULTS:

LPS increased LDH production and up-regulated expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 by BV-2 microglial cells. However, Spirulina platensis water extract and C-PC significantly reduced LPS-induced LDH release, and expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNAs.

CONCLUSION:

Spirulina can reduce the cytotoxicity and inhibit expression of inflammation-related genes of LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells.

• Authors: Jin-Cherng Chen, Kris Sun Liu, Ting-Ju Yang, Juen-Haur Hwang, Yin-Ching Chan, I-Te Lee
• Journal: Nutritional neuroscience (Nutr Neurosci) Vol. 15 Issue 6 Pg. 252-6 (Nov 2012) ISSN: 1476-8305 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22687570 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• Lipopolysaccharides
• RNA, Messenger
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Phycocyanin
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
• Nos2 protein, mouse
• Ptgs2 protein, mouse
• Cyclooxygenase 2

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Line
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Gene Expression
• Inflammation (metabolism)
• Interleukin-6 (genetics, metabolism)
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase (metabolism)
• Lipopolysaccharides (toxicity)
• Mice
• Microglia (drug effects, metabolism)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II (genetics, metabolism)
• Phycocyanin (pharmacology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Spirulina
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (genetics, metabolism)
• Up-Regulation