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

• Published in: Nutrition research and practice Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 290 - 299
• Main Authors: Park, Hee Jung, Lee, Hyun Sook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Nutrition Society 01.08.2017; The Korean Nutrition Society and the Korean Society of Community Nutrition; 한국영양학회
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Body composition; Clinical trials; Complement component C3; Dietary intake; Dietary supplements; Double-blind studies; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; Gene polymorphism; Genotype & phenotype; Genotyping; Geriatrics; Immune response; Immunoglobulins; Immunomodulation; Inflammation; Interleukin 2; Interleukin 6; Lipopolysaccharides; Monocyte chemoattractant protein; Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; Original Research; Single-nucleotide polymorphism; Transcription; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Tumor necrosis factor-α; 생활과학; immune system; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; Spirulina; single nucleotide polymorphism
• ISSN: 1976-1457; 2005-6168
• DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2017.11.4.290

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. 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. 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. 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.