Oral administration of hot water extracts of Chlorella vulgaris reduces IgE production against milk casein in mice

Hot water extract of Chlorella vulgaris (CVE) is a biological response modi fier (BRM) which enhances resistance to Listeria monocytogenes through augm entation of helper T cell type 1 (Th1) responses producing gamma-interferon (gamma IFN). We show here that oral administration of CVE in mice suppress ed the production of immunoglobulin (Ig)E against casein antigen accompanie d by increased gamma IFN and IL-12 mRNA expression. Oral administration of CVE enhanced Th1 response to casein in the spleen of casein immunized mice. CVE may be useful for prevention of allergic diseases with a predominant T h2 response. (C) 1999 International Society for Immunopharmacology. Publish ed by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.