Arthrospira (Limnospira) maxima (A. maxima) and Chlorella vulgaris (Ch. vulgaris) are among the approved microalgae and cyanobacteria (MaC) in the food industry that are known to be safe for consumption. However, both organisms are controversial regarding their vitamin B12 content, due to the possible occurrence of pseudo-cobalamin. Concurrently, their nutrition profiles remain understudied. The main purpose of the present study was to identify their nutrition profiles, focusing mainly on vitamin B12, amino acids, and micronutrients under iron-induced hormesis (10 mg/L Fe in treated samples). Our findings indicate a higher B12 content in A. maxima compared to Ch. vulgaris (both control and treated samples). Using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the cyanocobalamin content was determined as 0.42 ± 0.09 μg/g dried weight (DW) in the A. maxima control and 0.55 ± 0.02 μg/g DW in treated A. maxima, resulting in an insignificant difference. In addition, the iron-enriched medium increased the amount of iron in both tested biomasses (p < 0.01). However, a more pronounced (approximately 100×) boost was observed in Ch. vulgaris, indicating a better absorption capacity (control Ch. vulgaris 0.16 ± 0.01 mg/g Fe, treated Ch. vulgaris 15.40 ± 0.34 mg/g Fe). Additionally, Ch. vulgaris also showed a higher micronutrient content. Using both tested microalgae, meeting the sufficient recommended daily mineral allowance for an adult is possible. By combining biomass from A. maxima and Ch. vulgaris in a ratio of 6:1, we can fulfill the recommended daily allowance of vitamin B12 and iron by consuming 6 tablets/6 g. Importantly, iron hormesis stimulated amino acid composition in both organisms. The profile of amino acids may suggest these biomasses as promising potential nutrition sources.

• Klíčová slova
• Amino acids, Anemia, Cobalamin, Cyanobacteria, Deficiency, Iron, Microalgae,
• MeSH
• aminokyseliny * metabolismus   analýza   MeSH
• Chlorella vulgaris * chemie   metabolismus   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• mikrořasy chemie   metabolismus   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• mikroživiny * analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• nutriční hodnota MeSH
• Spirulina * chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• vitamin B 12 * metabolismus   analýza   MeSH
• železo metabolismus   analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• aminokyseliny * MeSH
• mikroživiny * MeSH
• vitamin B 12 * MeSH
• železo MeSH

Drying is an inseparable part of industrial microalgae production. In this work, the impacts of eight different drying methods on the metabolome and lipidome of Arthrospira platensis were investigated. The studied drying methods were freeze drying (FD), sun drying (SD), air drying at 40 and 75 °C (AD' and AD″), infrared drying at 40 and 75 °C (IRD' and IRD″), and vacuum drying at 40 and 75 °C (VD' and VD″). Results gathered by reversed-phase liquid chromatography separation coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (RP-LC-ESI-Orbitrap HRMS/MS) analysis allowed researchers to identify a total of 316 metabolites (including lipids) in aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The compounds identified in ethanolic extracts were mainly lipids, such as neutral and polar lipids, chlorophylls and carotenoids, while the compounds identified in the aqueous extracts were mainly amino acids and dipeptides. Among the identified compounds, products of enzymatic and chemical degradation, such as pyropheophytins, monoacylglycerols and lysophosphatidylcholines were also identified and their amounts depended on the drying method. The results showed that except for FD method, recognized as a control, the most protective method was AD'. Contrary to this, VD' and VD″, under the conditions used, promoted the most intense degradation of valuable metabolites.

• Klíčová slova
• Arthrospira platensis, HPLC-HRMS/MS, drying, lipidomics, metabolomics, microalgae,
• MeSH
• lipidomika * metody   MeSH
• lipidy analýza   MeSH
• lyofilizace MeSH
• metabolom MeSH
• metabolomika * metody   MeSH
• mikrořasy metabolismus   chemie   MeSH
• Spirulina * metabolismus   chemie   MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie metody   MeSH
• vysoušení * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• lipidy MeSH

Arthrospira platensis, a blue-green alga, is a popular nutraceutical substance having potent antioxidant properties with potential anti-carcinogenic activities. The aim of our study was to assess the possible anti-angiogenic effects of A platensis in an experimental model of pancreatic cancer. The effects of an A platensis extract were investigated on human pancreatic cancer cells (PA-TU-8902) and immortalized endothelial-like cells (Ea.hy926). PA-TU-8902 pancreatic tumours xenografted to athymic mice were also examined. In vitro migration and invasiveness assays were performed on the tested cells. Multiple angiogenic factors and signalling pathways were analysed in the epithelial, endothelial and cancer cells, and tumour tissue. The A platensis extract exerted inhibitory effects on both migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer as well as endothelial-like cells. Tumours of mice treated with A platensis exhibited much lesser degrees of vascularization as measured by CD31 immunostaining (P = .004). Surprisingly, the VEGF-A mRNA and protein expressions were up-regulated in pancreatic cancer cells. A platensis inhibited ERK activation upstream of Raf and suppressed the expression of ERK-regulated proteins. Treatment of pancreatic cancer with A platensis was associated with suppressive effects on migration and invasiveness with various anti-angiogenic features, which might account for the anticancer effects of this blue-green alga.

• Klíčová slova
• Arthrospira platensis, angiogenesis, anticancer effects, carcinogenesis, pancreatic cancer,
• MeSH
• antioxidancia farmakologie   MeSH
• antitumorózní látky farmakologie   MeSH
• endoteliální buňky účinky léků   MeSH
• inhibitory angiogeneze farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši nahé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory slinivky břišní farmakoterapie   MeSH
• patologická angiogeneze farmakoterapie   MeSH
• pohyb buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• Spirulina chemie   MeSH
• upregulace účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antioxidancia MeSH
• antitumorózní látky MeSH
• inhibitory angiogeneze MeSH

In this study, 14 commercial products (dietary supplements) containing alga Chlorella vulgaris and cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis, originated from China and Japan, were analysed. UV-vis spectrophotometric method was applied for rapid determination of chlorophylls, carotenoids and pheophytins; as degradation products of chlorophylls. High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) was used for effective separation of these compounds, and also Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for determination of heavy metals as indicator of environmental pollution. Based on the results obtained from UV-vis spectrophotometric determination of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids), it was confirmed that Chlorella vulgaris contains more of all these pigments compared to the cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis. The fastest mobility compound identified in Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis using HPTLC method was β-carotene. Spectral analysis and standard calibration curve method were used for identification and quantification of separated substances on Thin-Layer Chromatographic plate. Quantification of copper (Cu2+, at 324.7 nm) and zinc (Zn2+, at 213.9nm) was performed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with air-acetylene flame atomization. Quantification of cadmium (Cd2+, at 228.8 nm), nickel (Ni2+, at 232.0nm) and lead (Pb2+, at 283.3nm) by Electrothermal Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry; and quantification of mercury (Hg2+, at 254nm) by Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

• Klíčová slova
• Carotenoid, Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorophyll, High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography, Pheophytin, Spirulina platensis,
• MeSH
• Chlorella vulgaris chemie   MeSH
• chlorofyl chemie   MeSH
• chromatografie na tenké vrstvě metody   MeSH
• karotenoidy chemie   MeSH
• potravní doplňky analýza   MeSH
• spektrofotometrie atomová metody   MeSH
• Spirulina chemie   MeSH
• těžké kovy chemie   MeSH
• vysokoúčinná kapalinová chromatografie metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Čína MeSH
• Japonsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorofyl MeSH
• karotenoidy MeSH
• těžké kovy MeSH

Spirulina is a species of filamentous cyanobacteria that has long been used as a food supplement. In particular, Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima are the most important. Thanks to a high protein and vitamin content, Spirulina is used as a nutraceutical food supplement, although its other potential health benefits have attracted much attention. Oxidative stress and dysfunctional immunity cause many diseases in humans, including atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and hypertension. Thus, the antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of these microalgae may play an important role in human health. Here, we discuss the antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina in both animals and humans, along with the underlying mechanisms. In addition, its commercial and regulatory status in different countries is discussed as well. Spirulina activates cellular antioxidant enzymes, inhibits lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, scavenges free radicals, and increases the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Notably, there appears to be a threshold level above which Spirulina will taper off the antioxidant activity. Clinical trials show that Spirulina prevents skeletal muscle damage under conditions of exercise-induced oxidative stress and can stimulate the production of antibodies and up- or downregulate the expression of cytokine-encoding genes to induce immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory responses. The molecular mechanism(s) by which Spirulina induces these activities is unclear, but phycocyanin and β-carotene are important molecules. Moreover, Spirulina effectively regulates the ERK1/2, JNK, p38, and IκB pathways. This review provides new insight into the potential therapeutic applications of Spirulina and may provide new ideas for future studies.

• Klíčová slova
• Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immunomodulation, Mechanism of action, Phycocyanin, Spirulina,
• MeSH
• antiflogistika izolace a purifikace   farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• antioxidancia izolace a purifikace   farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• imunologické faktory izolace a purifikace   farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• klinické zkoušky jako téma MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• oxidační stres účinky léků   MeSH
• peroxidace lipidů účinky léků   MeSH
• potravní doplňky MeSH
• Spirulina chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antiflogistika MeSH
• antioxidancia MeSH
• imunologické faktory MeSH

Spirulina platensis, a water blue-green alga, has been associated with potent biological effects, which might have important relevance in atheroprotection. We investigated whether S. platensis or phycocyanobilin (PCB), its tetrapyrrolic chromophore, can activate atheroprotective heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox1), a key enzyme in the heme catabolic pathway responsible for generation of a potent antioxidant bilirubin, in endothelial cells and in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. In vitro experiments were performed on EA.hy926 endothelial cells exposed to extracts of S. platensis or PCB. In vivo studies were performed on ApoE-deficient mice fed a cholesterol diet and S. platensis. The effect of these treatments on Hmox1, as well as other markers of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, was then investigated. Both S. platensis and PCB markedly upregulated Hmox1 in vitro, and a substantial overexpression of Hmox1 was found in aortic atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE-deficient mice fed S. platensis. In addition, S. platensis treatment led to a significant increase in Hmox1 promoter activity in the spleens of Hmox-luc transgenic mice. Furthermore, both S. platensis and PCB were able to modulate important markers of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, such as eNOS, p22 NADPH oxidase subunit, and/or VCAM-1. Both S. platensis and PCB activate atheroprotective HMOX1 in endothelial cells and S. platensis increased the expression of Hmox1 in aortic atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-deficient mice, and also in Hmox-luc transgenic mice beyond the lipid lowering effect. Therefore, activation of HMOX1 and the heme catabolic pathway may represent an important mechanism of this food supplement for the reduction of atherosclerotic disease.

• MeSH
• aorta účinky léků   enzymologie   MeSH
• ateroskleróza farmakoterapie   enzymologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• cévní buněčněadhezivní molekula-1 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• fykobiliny aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• fykokyanin aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• hemoxygenasa-1 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• myši MeSH
• NADPH-oxidasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidační stres účinky léků   MeSH
• Spirulina chemie   MeSH
• upregulace účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cévní buněčněadhezivní molekula-1 MeSH
• fykobiliny MeSH
• fykokyanin MeSH
• hemoxygenasa-1 MeSH
• NADPH-oxidasy MeSH
• phycocyanobilin MeSH Prohlížeč

Enhancement of the immune response leading to protection against bacterial and fungal infections was shown using different schedules of immunization with microbial pigments and a polysaccharide. The group of mice given carotenoids of Rhodotorula glutinis (preparation I) and polysaccharide of Spitulina platensis (IV) survived for 2 weeks after Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The groups of mice given carotenoids (I), polysaccharide (IV), I+IV and with the crude phycocyanin of S. platensis (III)+IV survived for 2 weeks after Candida albicans infection. All other groups recorded a maximum level of mortality reaching 2 mice per group either after immunization or post-infection. Adding the carotenoids, phycocyanin and polysaccharides to food as additives might therefore enhance the human immune response against microbial infections.

• MeSH
• analýza přežití MeSH
• Candida albicans imunologie   MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• imunologické faktory aplikace a dávkování   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• kandidóza imunologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• karotenoidy izolace a purifikace   farmakologie   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• pseudomonádové infekce imunologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa imunologie   MeSH
• Rhodotorula chemie   MeSH
• Spirulina chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunologické faktory MeSH
• karotenoidy MeSH