Stem Cell Releasing Products Could Be Dangerous.
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HERE'S WHAT I THINK
Stem Cell Releasing Products Could Be Dangerous.
The body is an amazing balance of cycles and systems. When out of balance, the results are not usually good. When I first found a lens here promoting a stem cell releasing product, my first thought was "stem cells don't belong in the peripheral blood system in large quantities".
In 1994 I was a aware that Super Blue Green Algae is Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, and that in many oceans, that's red tide. Yup, toxic.
Now, the Klamath products are safety tested, and indeed, pass tests. However, you can only test for what you know to test for.
I'm not saying that StemEnhance is carcinogenic, but I do think that there are potential dangers in increasing your bone marrow stem cell release.
Below I will present the health benefits and safety of Spirulina, another cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). If you're looking for natural health supplements, Spirulina could be exactly what you're looking for without the risks.
I also just searched ClinicalTrials.gov, and found that the only algae product listed in the clinical trials Phase III ("Comparative studies to verify the effectiveness of diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques determined in phase II studies") is Dunaliella algae, and another algae product in official clinical trial (phase not listed) is ProAlgaZyme. I'll be exploring these more also, as it's always good to have a truly safe alternative treatment.
What's here about Stem Cell Releasing Products
Not for sale
- Bone Marrow Stem Cells Are Part of a Delicate Balance, Not a Magic Bullet!
- Closed Guestbooks on many stem cell related lenses on Squidoo
- My Stem Cell Guestbook
- HELP ME PROVE MY POINT
- DISPROVE MY POINT (fine, be that way)
- StemEnhance Risks
- Stemulite Claims:
- Aphanizomenon flos-aquae aka Super Blue Green Algae
- Spirulina is safe, nutritional, and scientifically interesting.
- Read Up On Spirulina - To Your Health!
- To Summarize
Bone Marrow Stem Cells Are Part of a Delicate Balance, Not a Magic Bullet!
If you have enough CD34+ cells in your peripheral blood, your hematologist may think you have leukemia...
Check out StemEnhance: The Rest of the Story for a very well written indication of the problems.
Here's the intro paragraph:
The following story first appeared as a Wellness Update on February 14, 2007. On February 24, 2007 I received a lengthy response from Christian Drapeau, the creator of StemEnhance. He assured me that he has research ready for publication that will demonstrate that StemEnhance continues to regularly stimulate bone marrow stem cell release when taken over a two year period. Unfortunately he expressed a total disregard for the potential toxicity of the product and a complete lack of appreciation of the manner in which bone marrow stem cells promote cancer growth and metastases. Mr. Drapeau's remarks are posted in their entirety following the original article, with my comments in blue.
Why would you want so many stem cells being released on a regular basis? Check out StemEnhance: The Rest of the Story
Stem Cell Releasing Products Could Be Dangerous.
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, you're right!
http://www.naturalhealthysolution.com says:
good info, thank's
Posted January 26, 2012
Squidmarm says:
@nicholasjosephlim Do you not read English? I say it "could be" dangerous, because the organism is exactly the same organism as that of red tide.
And I suggest you learn the difference between a clinical trial run by the Federal Drug Administration of the U.S.A. and what is known as "anecdotal evidence". Just saying.
Posted December 02, 2010
Squidmarm says:
If you read, I do document everything I say. Learn to use Pubmed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) for looking up references.
Posted October 18, 2010
kpcwriting2 says:
Great lens about the dangers of stem cell releasing products. Most manufacturers only list the positives, its good to see that you are offering readers the truth backed up with clinical data. Good job. Keep them coming.
Posted July 04, 2010
walkeri says:
Stated up Front:
Bias - I worked for a Pharmasudical company. It did not place me on "their side", quite the reverse.
I came to reailze that the only reason one should take meds in the 1st year of sales would be in the case of a life threatening condition.
Rare adverse effects only show up when large numbers of people have taken the drug. Caution is the best bet.
That being said, the same need to be applied to ALL medications, be they "natural" or synthesized.
I want to see the studies that support this product.
I am sure the manufactures are not simply asking me to believe that they are different from the Pharma companies that I frankly do not trust.
Lets see the data.
Posted February 14, 2010
Squidmarm says:
"is a new system of the body that we have discovered"
Yeah, right. Do you understand anything about how stem cells operate in the body? Do you understand the system of blood cell production? How about immune response? How about stress response?
Show me the data.
Posted January 08, 2009
Kyle says:
Words
Posted May 16, 2008
says:
The way I see it is that if a supplement is plant derived non toxic
the body will use what it needs and discard the rest. Un the other hand
All human embryonic stem cell lines approved for use in federally funded research are contaminated with a foreign molecule from mice that may make them risky for use in medical therapies. Researchers at UC San Diego and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla report that if the stem cells are transplanted into people, the cells could provoke an immune system attack that would wipe out their ability to deliver cures for diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and diabetes.
Please do visit my lens
Enemies of Cell to cell communication
Robert
Posted April 28, 2008
compugraphd says:
B"H
The body heals itself. Drugs, by and large (in general), suppress the body and suppress its healing systems. Nutritional supplements generally work with the body. BUT (and this is a big but) you can't just pick a nutritional supplement willy-nilly -- you either need a good alternative medical practitioner and/or you need to read a lot (many different sources -- and pick ones that don't have a vested financial interest in your choice). I do both. And even with that, I sometimes have to reject something I've already started taking (like, for me, Ginkgo Biloba worked but caused me to be irritable, so I stopped taking it).
It sounds to me as though your detractors are having a knee-jerk reaction. You don't sound to me like you're pushing drugs -- just an "eyes open" way of choosing supplements. IMHO.
Debbie
Posted April 07, 2008
Squidmarm says:
"Working in a health food store" is called anecdotal evidence. The surgeon general warns against cigarette smoking because valid epidemiological studies showed the health risk of smoking.
No epidemiological studies have been done on BGA/AFA/StemEnhance, no Phase II clinical trials have been done for efficacy, and noone knows what the long term effect of BGA ingestion may be. There is even less information on what the consequences of an increased stem cell release to the peripheral blood system might be.
Simply searching PubMed for keywords like spirulina safety and then Aphanizomenon flos-aquae safety should make anyone sit up and ask some questions. Understanding the differences of the two organisms should make anyone want to understand more about their claims.
Posted March 19, 2008
Libra says:
In response to Paul: Guess what? When someone has a peanut allergy, they better stay far away from it. When a cow has mad cow, better not eat it. I think it's pretty wonderful for someone to tell the truth about products so people can have all the information and make informed decisions. This page isn't about bashing anything or any body (nor is the author sarcastic in making her point--an intelligent discussion doesn't need sarcasm). Facts are helpful for people to weigh their choices and come to a decision. I appreciate the advice to consult with your own medical professional (including naturopaths!).
Posted March 16, 2008
Squidmarm says:
So the surgeon general shouldn't warn about smoking just because some smokers live to 90 years old? No single cigarette kills you.
It smells like you're intimidated by science. Science, unlike MLM's, can help you understand the physical world, and thus how to choose the right natural medicines in a world of marketers trying to put blindfolds on the public.
Posted March 16, 2008
No way, Monkeybrain!
i know too much says:
i like eating apples
Posted September 14, 2011
suckmacock says:
hey fuck all you bitches
Posted January 04, 2011
nicholasjosephlim says:
If you say it is dangerous, how do you explain the thousands of testimonies of how StemEnhance has helped people recover their health? Example there are two people that I know who have testified that they have recovered from almost being blind.
Posted December 01, 2010
karen says:
Oh, please...Where do you get off making those kind of undocumented statemennts when you clearly do have a clue?
Posted October 10, 2010
rpm says:
you do not know too much stemenhance works ans I have helped hundreds of people, it is a new system of the body that we have discovered, get on the band wagon and start helping others
Posted December 28, 2008
says:
You betray your bias against AFA in making baseless statements such as "bone marrow stem cells promote cancer growth and metastases".
Stem cells are the basis for every cell in the body. Without the constant production of stem cells throughout our lives, we would quickly die.
A colleague of mine has a family friend who had a massive heart attack and went to Thailand to have his own stem cells cultured and reinjected into his body at enormous expense to cause his heart to rebuild. The procedure worked. From a death sentence by his cardiologist, he returned to his prior routine of running five miles daily.
The body regularly releases millions of stem cells into the body. Why would a person want so many stem cells released on a regular basis? To ensure continued health, and with an elevated release, to hasten the repair of damaged tissue and bring new life to a dying body. This is not unusual.
I understand that there are people like you who are afraid of something that can do that. That something is your own body. You are afraid of your own body. Taking a supplement that can enhance one's stem cell count without drugs or surgery or trips to foreign countries for exotic procedures is something that should be heralded, not scorned, as you have done.
I am a lifelong user of various products from the health food store. Dietary supplements have kept me off pharmaceutical drugs, have kept me from having surgery, and have helped me to live a more normal life. I have taken spirulina, chlorella, and many others, and now the AFA extract in StemEnhance.
I'm not a distributor like I'm sure you'll accuse me of being. I'm just a product user. And I'm very glad to have found this product.
Keep your blatant attempts to discredit the product to yourself. You're not going to change my opinion; I know the product works, and in the meantime, you're damaging the chances for other people to benefit from a natural increase in their body's stem cells. And all because you want to sell them on spirulina.
There's nothing wrong with taking spirulina, but to use fear and misinformation to steer people to it is disgraceful. Shame on you!
Posted November 25, 2008
Paul says:
I've worked in a health food store many years, and there are numerous products that people will react to. Just not meant for them. StemEnhance is legal and the people have the choice to choose between suffering or hearing the words "might" or "maybe"...I've talked to numerous health food store owners that have sold B.G.A. for many years, and hardly ever hear anything negative about it. Don't think you can compare it to cigarettes..Yes, they should stay away from B.G.A. if they are the odd person that gets sick from it, just like the one that reacts to peanuts, meat etc..
Posted March 18, 2008
Paul says:
Smells like you are linked to the pharmaceutical industry...People like you grow on trees, but, thankfully help spread the world of products that might help one's condition.
Posted March 16, 2008
Paul says:
Might as well take peanuts off the market, because they can kill some people. Might as well remove spinach (salmonella), beef (mad cow disease), chicken (bird flue).
Blue Green Algae is not meant for SOME individuals. Yet, it would seem that the good outweighs the bad with BG Algae. Can testimonials of people on StemEnhance be ignored? Pain free, better eyesight, diabetes improvement, skin disorders disappearing etc..Maybe you should spend more energy concentrating on educating the people about the real killers? Like Vioxx etc..
Posted March 16, 2008
Closed Guestbooks on many stem cell related lenses on Squidoo
Or why the marketers don't want you to know the truth.
Hi Be,
Hey, you're famous!
Someone was just checking out your Squidoo lens "Flow Cytometry Courses" and wrote you the following note...
">>The point of stem cells is that when they divide, one stays a stem cell, and the other goes on to become what the body needs. Pluripotent stem cells are CD34+ , but this cell membrane marker is also how we distinguish "blasts" in acute leukemia!
Please list the references from your upper text box. Stem cell research is fascinating and important.<<
Thank you for your inquiry! We do have references to our articles, below each article. The scientist who have discovered this also have articles published in medical journals. There is more information about the stem enhancing product through the manufacturer.
New England Journal of Medicine September 8, 2005. Volume 353:999-1007. Number 10
Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Cardiovascular Outcomes By
Nikos Werner, M.D., Sonja Kosiol, M.D., Tobias Schiegl, M.D., Patrick Ahlers, M.D., Katrin Walenta, M.D., Andreas Link, M.D., Michael Böhm, M.D., and Georg Nickenig, M.D.
Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine paper published. Mobilization of human CD34+CD133+ and CD34+CD133- stem cells in vivo by consumption of an extract from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae - related to modulation of CXCR4 expression by an L-selectin lignand? By Gitte S. Jensen, Aaron N. Heart, Lue A.M. Zaske, Christian Drapeau, Niraj Gupta, David J. Schaeffer, J. Alex Cruickshank. Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine Volume 8, Issue 3, July-September 2007, Pages 189-202.
Triple-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effect of StemEnhance on Bone Marrow Stem Cell Mobilization by Christian Drapeau, MSc. www.healthylivingstuff4u.com/tripleblindstudy.pdf
Thank you so much for your feedback!" --W. Connell <info@healthylivingstuff4u.com>
P.S. Want even more feedback from your visitors? Try out the Guestbook and QuickPoll modules.
My Stem Cell Guestbook
Your comments, please
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daviddaly
Dec 28, 2011 @ 1:46 pm | delete
- Hi squidmarm, I'd just like to bring to your attention a spelling mistake at the end of the article: 'What's the name of your blud-green algae?' - I think it should be 'blue-green algae'? Thank you for a very nice, interesting and informative lense. Also perhaps you could check out: http://www.spiralyne.co.uk/health-benefits.html for more information. Best regards.
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daviddaly
Dec 28, 2011 @ 1:59 pm | delete
- Hi squidmarm, here's the link if you have time: spirulina health benefits Best regards
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kathysart
Dec 4, 2011 @ 10:44 am | delete
- thanks for the info... lots to consider. THUMBS UP LENS
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Gregory Fraser
Jun 29, 2011 @ 1:47 am | delete
- I always thought that stem cell releasing medications are the next generation of Alzheimer's or HIV cure. I didn't realize it would have some ill side effects. Thanks for sharing this lens! DePuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement
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Squidmarm
Jul 3, 2011 @ 1:01 pm | delete
- Stem cells are a very, very important part of the next generation of cures for illnesses and organ replacement, but not in an uncontrolled release. Thanks for dropping by.
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HELP ME PROVE MY POINT
If you agree, add links (proof!) that help me make my case
Add a link that makes my case.
I'll delete links to sites that are not relevant to stem cell enhancement products. Sorry, but in order to leave this open to addition of valuable links, I'm not interested in spammy links being added.
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DISPROVE MY POINT (fine, be that way)
Disagree? Put your money where your mouth is and show us why.
Post links that point out why you think I'm wrong.
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StemEnhance Risks
Your body's balance tells your bone marrow when to release stem cells just fin.
- StemEnhance: The Rest of the Story
- A very well written piece of correspondence that brings up some of the issues you need to think about if you're considering taking a stem cell releasing product.
- PubMed Abstract of 'Bone marrow-derived cells: roles in solid tumor. Minireview.'
- Xiong-Zhi W, Dan C, Guang-Ru X. Bone marrow-derived cells: roles in solid tumor. Neoplasma. 2007;54(1):1-6. "The role of cancer stem cells has been demonstrated for some cancers. Recently, research indicated that solid tumors may originate from bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow-derived cells have recently been shown to contribute to stromal formation, especially angiogenesis and lymphvasculogenesis. Moreover, the interaction and the cell fusion between cancer cells and bone mesenchymal stem cells could enhance the aggregative ability of cancer cells. Bone marrow derived cells home to tumor-specific pre-metastatic sites to provide a permissive niche for incoming tumor cells.
- Role of hematopoietic lineage cells as accessory components in blood vessel formation
- Takakura, N. Role of hematopoietic lineage cells as accessory components in blood vessel formation. Cancer Sci. 2006 Jul;97(7):568-74. "It is widely believed that after birth, endothelial cells (EC) in new blood vessels are derived from resident EC of pre-existing vessels. However, evidence is now emerging that cells derived from the bone marrow may also contribute to postnatal angiogenesis. Most studies have focused initially on the contribution of endothelial progenitor cells in this process. However, we have proposed a concept in which cells of the hematopoietic lineage are mobilized and then entrapped in peripheral tissues, where they function as accessory cells that promote the sprouting of resident EC by releasing angiogenic signals. Most recently we found that hematopoietic cells play major roles in tumor angiogenesis by initiating sprouting angiogenesis and also in maturation of blood vessels in the fibrous cap of tumors."
- Stem Cells and Neurogenesis in Tumors
- Bone-marrow-derived and tissue-resident stem cells promote repair of injured tissues by contributing to new blood vessel, muscle and nerve formation. These same stem cells may contribute to tumor growth and spread. Tumors express numerous growth factors that induce both angiogenesis and neurogenesis; these factors may also induce tissue-resident stem cell recruitment and differentiation. Tumors also recruit circulating bone-marrow-derived stem or progenitor cells, which play roles in promoting tumor growth and spread. As innervation of tumors promote cancer pain and can contribute to tumor spread, an understanding of the roles of stem cells in tumor innervation will assist in the development of new cancer therapies.
- NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page
- A thorough resource on stem cells from the National Institutes of Health. The basic facts of stems cells is well worth reading. Adult stem cells are an exciting medical possibility, but not yet well understood enough to know whether having a 30% increase in your blood stream is a good idea. In fact, here's the quote from the glossary on the entry for "adult stem cells": "Adult (or somatic) stem cell-An undifferentiated cell found in a differentiated tissue that can renew itself and differentiate (with certain limitations) to give rise to all the specialized cell types of the tissue from which it originated. It is important to note that scientists do not agree about whether or not adult stem cells may give rise to cell types other than those of the tissue from which they originate."
Stemulite Claims:
Beware the Leap Between Animal Models and Your Body's Balance
Here's a paragraph explaining one of their formula's ingredients: "Once stem cells become resident of a tissue system (such as a muscle group) or organ they quickly multiply and replace old tissue with new juvenile cells which are able to mature in a matter of hours or days into the same tissue type that was earlier dysfunctional. If the genetic component of the tissue is normal, the new cells continue replicating indefinitely, completely and perminately (SIC) eradicating the problem. In the case of fitness training, the stem cells are recruited in great numbers to mobilize in muscle systems replacing fat and adding brand new muscle."
Okay, let's look at this more carefully.
"Once stem cells become resident of a tissue system (such as a muscle group) or organ they quickly multiply and replace old tissue with new juvenile cells which are able to mature in a matter of hours or days into the same tissue type that was earlier dysfunctional." This has not been shown conclusively in humans, and even the rat data is contradictory.
"If the genetic component of the tissue is normal, the new cells continue replicating indefinitely, completely and perminately eradicating the problem."
If. That's a big if today. Secondly, if new cells continue replicating indefinetly, they are called immortal, and a clone. In cancer, cells are immortal clones. In our tissues, there is a natural aging process of cells that takes place.
There is no proof that an increased stem cell release to your peripheral blood system is a good thing. Please be careful.
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae aka Super Blue Green Algae
My axe has been grinding since 1994
- Concentrations of particulate and dissolved cylindrospermopsin in 21 Aphanizomenon-dominated temperate lakes.
- Abstract about examining AFA in German lakes.
- llergenic (sensitization, skin and eye irritation) effects of freshwater cyanobacteria - experimental evidence
- Microcystis, Anabaena, Cylindrospermopsis, and Aphanizomenon bloom and strain samples were examined in sensitization and irritation tests and no correlation was found between the toxin content and the allergenic character. The most toxic one (Microcystis aeruginosa) was not the most allergenic sample, but the nontoxic Aphanizomenon was the most allergenic one. The axenic strains were not allergenic at all. The pure microcystin LR was only slightly allergenic even in high concentration (1.5 mg/ml). Water and lipid soluble fractions were obtained by water and chloroform extraction of lyophilized algal suspensions. The chloroform fraction was bound on C18 cartridges and eluted by methanol in nine fractions. Only one of the lipid soluble fractions was skin irritative whereas the strongest irritative effect was shown by the water soluble fraction.
- Assessing potential health risks from microcystin toxins in blue-green algae dietary supplements.
- Many of these products contain Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, a BGA that is harvested from Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) in southern Oregon, where the growth of a toxic BGA, Microcystis aeruginosa, is a regular occurrence. M. aeruginosa produces compounds called microcystins, which are potent hepatotoxins and probable tumor promoters. Because M. aeruginosa coexists with A. flos-aquae, it can be collected inadvertently during the harvesting process, resulting in microcystin contamination of BGA products.
- Multiplex PCR for the detection of toxigenic cyanobacteria in dietary supplements produced for human consumption
- The production of food supplements containing cyanobacteria is a growing worldwide industry. While there have been several reports of health benefits that can be gained from the consumption of these supplements, there have also been a growing number of studies showing the presence of toxins some of which (for example microcystins) are known to affect human health.
Spirulina is safe, nutritional, and scientifically interesting.
It just floats on your drinks and doesn't dissolve, but it's good for you.
Unlike the safety aspects of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, spirulina species have repeatedly been shown to be
Below I present links to scientific abstracts and online information to show you that whatever you're looking for that's safe in Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, you'll find in spirulina.
Read Up On Spirulina - To Your Health!
The only controversy is whether the claims are too grandiose.
It's not contaminated with possible neurotoxins or possible hepatotoxins.
It's good for what ails you. And believe me, if you like any of the sea vegetables, you can enjoy the taste of spirulina, also.
- Latest Scientific Research on Spirulina:
- This Spirulina Health Library contains over 100 published scientific references covering 30 years of international research. It is solely for education. It is not intended as medical advice or as a guide for self-treatment. Consult a qualified health care practitioner for diagnosis or treatment of any disease or medical condition.
- Bioremediation potential of spirulina: toxicity and biosorption studies of lead
- CONCLUSION
This study led to the conclusion that spirulina's rapid lead adsorption rate and high lead adsorption capacity made them well suited for the removal of lead in wastewater. In addition, living cells of spirulina were found to have high tolerance to lead and can be regarded as an attractive adsorbate option for the biosorption of heavy metal contaminant. However, there are still many uncertainties associated with the development of treating wastewater by living algae and more future work is necessary. - [Pharmacology and toxicology of Spirulina alga]
- Spirulina, a unicellular filamentous blue-green alga has been consumed by man since ancient times in Mexico and central Africa. It is currently grown in many countries by synthetic methods. Initially the interest in Spirulina was on its nutritive value: it was found almost equal to other plant proteins. More recently, some preclinical testing suggests it has several therapeutic properties such as hypocholesterolemic, immunological, antiviral and antimutagenic. This has led to more detailed evaluations such as nucleic acid content and presence of toxic metals, biogenic toxins and organic chemicals: they have shown absence or presence at tolerable levels according to the recommendations of international regulatory agencies. In animal experiments for acute, subchronic and chronic toxicity, reproduction, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity the algae did not cause body or organ toxicity. In all instances, the Spirulina administered to the animals were at much higher amounts than those expected for human consumption. On the other hand there is scant information of the effects of the algae in humans. This area needs more research.
- C-phycocyanin ameliorates doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in adult rat cardiomyocytes.
- Doxorubicin (DOX), a potent antineoplastic agent, poses limitations for its therapeutic use due to the associated risk of developing cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. The cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin is associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis. We have recently shown that Spirulina, a blue-green alga with potent antioxidant properties, offered significant protection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. The aim of the present study was to establish the possible protective role of C-phycocyanin, one of the active ingredients of Spirulina, against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. The study was carried out using cardiomyocytes isolated from adult rat hearts. Doxorubicin significantly enhanced the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells as measured by the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and dihydroethidium fluorescence. The doxorubicin-induced reactive oxygen species formation was significantly attenuated in cells pretreated with C-phycocyanin. It was further observed that the doxorubicin-induced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, as assayed by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry coupled with BrdU-FITC/propidium iodide staining, were markedly attenuated by C-phycocyanin. C-phycocyanin also significantly attenuated the doxorubicin-induced increase in the expression of Bax protein, release of cytochrome c, and increase in the activity of caspase-3 in cells. In summary, C-phycocyanin ameliorated doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. This study further supports the crucial role of the antioxidant nature of C-phycocyanin in its cardioprotection against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- Inhibitory effects of Spirulina in zymosan-induced arthritis in mice.
- The anti-inflammatory effect of microalgae Spirulina was studied in zymosan-induced arthritis in mice. Four days after the intra-articular injection of zymosan (15 mg/ml), Spirulina (100 and 400 mg/kg perorally) was administered to animals for 8 days. The mice were than killed and beta-glucuronidase was measured in the synovial fluid. Each knee joint was totally removed for histopathological studies. Spirulina significantly reduced the levels of beta-glucuronidase that had been increased by zymosan. Histopathological and ultrastructural studies showed inhibition of the inflammatory reaction, whereas no destruction of cartilage, well-preserved chondrocytes, and normal rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were seen. The anti-arthritic effect exerted by Spirulina as shown in this model may be at least partly due to the previously reported antiinflammatory and antioxidative properties of its constituent, phycocyanin. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the anti-inflammatory effect of Spirulina in an experimental model of arthritis.
- Nutritional and therapeutic potential of Spirulina.
- Spirulina, a filamentous cyanobacterium, possesses diverse biological activities and nutritional significance due to high concentration of natural nutrients, having bio-modulatory and immuno-modulatory functions. Different Spirulina preparations influence immune system viz. increase phagocytic activity of macrophages, stimulating the production of antibodies and cytokines, increase accumulation of NK cells into tissue and activation and mobilization of T and B cells. Spirulina have also shown to perform regulatory role on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism by exhibiting glucose and lipid profile correcting activity in experimental animals and in diabetic patients. Preparations have been found to be active against several enveloped viruses including herpes virus, cytomegalovirus, influenza virus and HIV. They are capable to inhibit carcinogenesis due to anti-oxidant properties that protect tissues and also reduce toxicity of liver, kidney and testes.
- Spirulina fusiformis provides protection against mercuric chloride induced oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice.
- Oxidative stress induced by mercuric chloride (5 mg/kg body weight i.p.) in mice substantially increases the lipid peroxidation level along with corresponding decrease in the reduced glutathione and various antioxidant enzymes in liver and increase in serum transaminases activity. Supplementation of Spirulina (800 mg/kg body weight orally, in olive oil, along with mercuric chloride) for 40 days resulted in decreased LPO level, serum glutamate oxaloacetate and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity along with increase in liver GSH level. The activities of antioxidants enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were also concomitantly restored to near normal level by Spirulina supplementation to mercuric chloride intoxicated mice. The results clearly demonstrate that Spirulina treatment augments the antioxidants defense mechanism in mercuric chloride induced toxicity and provides evidence that it may have a therapeutic role in free radical mediated diseases.
- Spirulina on MedlinePlus
- Spirulina is a rich source of nutrients, containing up to 70% protein, B-complex vitamins, phycocyanin, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and numerous minerals. In fact, spirulina contains more beta-carotene than carrots. Spirulina has been used since ancient times as a source of nutrients and has been said to possess a variety of medical uses, including as an antioxidant, antiviral, antineoplastic, weight loss aid, and lipid-lowering agent. Preliminary data from animal studies demonstrate effectiveness for some conditions as well as safety, although human evidence is lacking. Based on available research, no recommendation can be made either for or against the use of spirulina for any indication.
...
Note: Non-spirulina species, such as Anabaena species , Aphanizomenon species, and Microcystis species are possibly unsafe because they are usually harvested naturally and may be subject to contamination.
To Summarize
What's the name of your blud-green algae?
If you think that increasing your bone marrow stem cell circulation by 30% sounds like a keen idea, please speak with your local hematologist or fully trained naturopathic ND. You don't have to take my word for it. Your body knows best which cells need to be made at any given time.
by Squidmarm
Squidmarm here.
I operate the flow cytometer at a small rural hospital.
An over abundance of stem cells in the peripheral blood would look suspicio...
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