Effect of extracts from microalgae on cytokine levels in female C57Bl6 mice

Abstract

Microalgae from the freshwater basins and seas are a valuable source of broad-spectrum biologically active substances that can affect the cells of immune system and their functional state. Cytokines are involved in all vital processes proceeding in the living cells (proliferation, maturation, differentiation, apoptosis/ necrosis). A study was performed in order to assess the effects of standard food formula for experimental animals supplemented with oil extract of microalgae from various systematic groups upon the levels of cytokines in blood serum, culture media conditioned by immunocytes, as well as kidney and liver tissues. The standard food was impregnated in oil extracts of microalgae (C. vulgaris, Coelastrella sp., A. platensis, C. closterium, and P. purpureum). In control series, the food was impregnated with pure vegetable oil. The animals were fed these foods for 12 days. Blood, spleen and thymus were taken to isolate immunocytes, kidneys and liver, and dimethyl sulfoxide extracts of the cells were produced. The conditioned media of splenocytes and thymocytes were obtained by adding concanavalin A (0 and 10 μg/ml) to the cultured cells. The levels of NO, IL-1β, IL-10, TNFα, and NO were determined in serum, conditioned media, and tissue extracts. In serum, the influence of microalgae on the levels of IL-1β and TNFα was revealed. Activation of immunocytes in experimental groups was followed by changes in IL-1β, TNFα and IL-10 production. Changes of cytokine and NO levels were revealed in liver and kidney extracts in experimental groups. Thus, microalgae extracts of various systematic groups affect the levels of cytokines in blood serum, cultural media conditioned by splenocytes and thymocytes, kidney and liver tissues.

Keywords

• microalgae
• cytokines
• nitric oxide
• splenocytes
• thymocytes