T. Hasegawa et al., Chlorella vulgaris culture supernatant (CVS) reduces psychological stress-induced apoptosis in thymocytes of mice, INT J IMMUN, 22(11), 2000, pp. 877-885
A glycoprotein prepared from Chlorella vulgaris culture supernatant (CVS) i
s a biological response modifier (BRM) which exhibits protective activities
against tumor metastasis and 5-fluorouracil-induced immunosuppression. We
here show that oral administration of CVS prevented significantly the apopt
osis of thymocytes in mice undergoing psychological stress in a communicati
on box. Mice were exposed to the emotional stress for 14 days by witnessing
other mice being exposed to foot-shock. The numbers in thymocytes, especia
lly CD4(+)CD8(+) population, were decreased significantly and apoptotic cel
ls, as assessed by Annexin V expression, were reciprocally increased after
the exposure to the psychological stress. C. vulgaris culture supernatant (
CVS) administration significantly suppressed the increase in serum corticos
terone level in the psychologically stressed mice. These results suggest th
at CVS prevents psychological stress and maintain homeostasis in the face o
f external environmental changes. (C) 2000 International Society for Immuno
pharmacology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.