INHIBITORY EFFECT OF MAST CELL-MEDIATED IMMEDIATE-TYPE ALLERGIC REACTIONS IN RATS BY SPIRULINA

We investigated the effect of spirulina on mast cell-mediated immediat e-type allergic reactions. Spirulina dose-dependently inhibited the sy stemic allergic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in rats. Spirulina inhibited compound 48/80-induced allergic reaction 100% with doses of 100-1000 mu g/g body weight, i.p. Spirulina (10-1000 mu g/g body weigh t,i.p.) also significantly inhibited local allergic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. When rats were pretreated with spiru lina at a concentration ranging from 0.01 to 1000 mu g/g body weight, i.p., the serum histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent mann er. Spirulina (0.001 to 10 mu g/mL) dose dependently inhibited histami ne release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. The level of cyclic AMP in RPMC, when spirulin a (10 mu g/mL) was added, transiently and significantly increased abou t 70-fold at 10 sec compared with that of control cells. Moreover, spi rulina (10 mu g/mL) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP Ig E induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. These results indica te that spirulina inhibits mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.