Nutr Res Pract.  2017 Aug;11(4):290-299. 10.4162/nrp.2017.11.4.290.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 polymorphism interaction with spirulina immunomodulatory effects in healthy Korean elderly: A 16 week, double-blind randomized clinical trial

• Park HJ
• Lee HS

• KMID: 2385467
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2017.11.4.290

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Spirulina is a known a functional food related to lipid profiles, immune functions, and antioxidant capacity. Circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level is associated with inflammation markers. Single nucleotide polymorphism in the MCP-1 promoter region -2518 have been identified and shown to affect gene transcription. Gene variation may also impact functional food supplementary effects. The current study investigated the interaction of MCP-1 -2518 polymorphism with spirulina supplements on anti-inflammatory capacity in Korean elderly.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
After genotyping, healthy elderly subjects (n = 78) were included in a randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled study. Baseline characteristic, body composition, and dietary intake were measured twice (baseline vs. week 16). For 16 weeks, subjects consumed 8 g either spirulina or placebo daily. Plasma MCP-1, interleukin (IL) -2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, complement (C) 3, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and Ig A concentrations and lymphocyte proliferation rate (LPR) were analyzed as inflammatory markers.
RESULTS
In the placebo group with A/A genotype, MCP-1 level was significantly increased, but the spirulina group with A/A genotype was unchanged. IL-2 was significantly increased only in subjects with spirulina supplementation. TNF-α was significantly reduced in subjects with the G carrier. C3 was significantly increased in the placebo group, particularly when A/A increased more than G, but not when spirulina was ingested. LPR was significantly different only in subjects with A/A genotype; there was a significant increase in phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide induced LPR in the spirulina group.
CONCLUSION
In healthy Korean elderly, spirulina supplementation may influence different inflammatory markers by the MCP-1 genotype. These results may be useful for customized dietary guidelines to improve immune function in Koreans.

Keyword

Spirulina; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; single nucleotide polymorphism; immune system

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Body Composition
Chemokine CCL2*
Complement System Proteins
Functional Food
Genotype
Humans
Immune System
Immunoglobulins
Inflammation
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-6
Interleukins
Lymphocytes
Monocytes*
Nutrition Policy
Plasma
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Spirulina*
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Chemokine CCL2
Complement System Proteins
Immunoglobulins
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-6
Interleukins
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Plasma cytokine levels for (A) MCP-1, (C) IL-6, (E) TNF-α, and (G) IL-2; and changes (B, D, F, H, respectively) after placebo or spirulina supplementation in subject grouped by MCP-1 polymorphism. MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein -1; IL, interleukin; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; A/A, MCP-1 -2518 AA genotype; G/A, MCP-1 -2518 GA genotype; G/G, MCP-1 -2518 GG genotype. Data are expressed as mean ± SE. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.

• 

  Fig. 2 Plasma level of (A) C3, (C) IgA, and (E) IgG; and changes (B, D, and F, respectively) after placebo or spirulina supplementation in subjects grouped by MCP-1 polymorphism. Blood samples were collected before and after supplementation (pretest: beginning day, post-test: 16 weeks). C3, Ig A, and IgG plasma levels were analyzed by radical immunodiffusion plate. MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; C3, complement 3; Ig A, immunoglobulin A; Ig G, immunoglobulin G; A/A, MCP-1 -2518 AA genotype; G/A, MCP-1 -2518 GA genotype; G/G, MCP-1 -2518 GG genotype. Data are expressed as mean ± SE. *P < 0.05.

• 

  Fig. 3 Lymphocyte proliferation rate: (A) Con A, (B) PHS, and (C) LPS induced; and changes (B, D, and F, respectively) after placebo or spirulina supplementation in subjects grouped by MCP-1 polymorphism. Isolated lymphocytes were seeded at 2 × 105 cells per well in a 96-well plate and treated with ConA, PHA, or LPS. After incubating for 68 hours in CO2 incubator, mitogen induced LPR was determined by ELISA. MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; ConA, concanavalin A; PHA, phtyhemagglutinin; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; A/A, MCP-1 -2518 AA genotype; G/A, MCP-1 -2518 GA genotype; G/G, MCP-1 -2518 GG genotype. Data are expressed as mean ± SE. *P < 0.05

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