Effects of the green algae Chlorella vulgaris on the response of the host hematopoietic system to intraperitoneal Ehrlich ascites tumor transplantation in mice

Chlorella vulgaris extract (CVE) was examined for its effects on the Ehrlic h ascites tumor-induced suppression in the numbers of bone marrow and splee n granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) in mice. No effects on b one marrow and spleen CFU-GM, as compared to controls, were observed in nor mal mice given 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg CVE orally for 5 days. In tumor-bearin g mice, myelosuppression concomitant with increased number of spleen CFU-GM were observed. The number of CFU-GM in the bone marrow was restored to con trol levels after the administration of CVE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) to tumo r-bearing mice, and a slight reduction in spleen colony formation was obser ved in these animals. In addition, CVE significantly prolonged the survival of mice inoculated with the Ehrlich ascites tumor. These results suggest a protective antitumor effect of CVE which might be attributable, at least i n part, to the stimulation of the production and, possibly, maturation of g ranulocytes and macrophages.