Effects of the Blue-Green Algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralphs on Human Natural Killer Cells

Author(s): Raffi Manoukin, Monica Citton, Patricia Huerta, Barbara Rhode, Christian Drapeau, Gitte S. Jensen

ABSTRACT

In a double-blinded cross-over study, we evaluated the immediate (two hours) effect of Aphanizomenon flos-aqua (L.) Ralphs (AFA) on five normal healthy volunteers by comparing % NK cells in peripheral blood. The same volunteers consumed AFA and placebo on different days, and experiments were always done in the morning. The AFA dose was 1.5 g of freeze-dried algae. We found no differences in % NK cells after ingestion of placebo. In the same individuals, AFA ingestion resulted in a significant decrease if % NK cell in the circulation within two hours after AFA ingestion. The decreased level of NK cells was on average 63% of the starting percentage of circulating NK cells. In two donors, the expression of adhesion molecules of NK cells was tested after NK ingestion. The circulating NK cells showed increased expression of the adhesion receptor CD11b and the homing molecule L-selectin after AFA ingestion. We interpret this as a biological effect from yet uncharacterized molecular components within the AFA algae that regulates the recruitment of NK cells from blood into tissue. The observations may support previous speculations on the presence of neuropeptides or cytokine-like molecules within AFA. The rapid effect could indicate a direct action on NK cells, leading to increased ability to adhere to endothelium and migrate into lymphoid tissue. Absorbed components within ingested AFA could rapidly affect the endothelium in the gut mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue, leading to increased recruitment of specific cell subsets from blood. Alternatively, the action could occur via nerve stimulus to lymphoid tissue, thereby changing the tissue microenvironment, altering the endothelium or leading to secretion of chemokines. Both mechanisms would ultimately lead to an increased recruitment of NK cells from the blood, which after two hours leads to a measurable decrease of % NK cells in the circulation. Further studies are in progress to elucidate the short term and long term effects of AFA consumption on the human immune systems.

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TESTIMONIES

"We are so excited about the Bluegree Body Algae. We´ve seen some real benefits for the immune systems of animals. We had a 12 year old dog brought into the clinic who had been hit by a car. We decided to start him eating Bluegreen Body and the Enzymes. The dog had to be in a splint for 3 weeks. Every week when he came in to be checked he was looking better and better. His condition and haircut were improving. By the third week his owner was so impressed she started using the same supplements. The dog´s attitude is wonderful. The day he was brought in he bit one of the techs and he didn´t want anyone to do anything to him. After a couple of days, even though he was still very sore, there was a major improvement in his behavior. Now when he comes in he even kisses everyone. We also do short nail clips for show dogs. I decided to try sprinkling algae on nails that we quickened to see its effect. It did a wonderful job - so we have switched!"
- Dr. Ron Bowen, DVM and Dr. Debby Dowen, DVM
Chicago, Illinois