The DOI matches its Crossref record; 42 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The effects of Spirulina on anemia and immune function in senior citizens
Open accessAbstract
Anemia and immunological dysfunction (i.e. immunosenescence) are commonly found in older subjects and nutritional approaches are sought to counteract these phenomena. Spirulina is a filamentous and multicellular bule-green alga capable of reducing inflammation and also manifesting antioxidant effects. We hypothesized that Spirulina may ameliorate anemia and immunosenescence in senior citizens with a history of anemia. We enrolled 40 volunteers of both sexes with an age of 50 years or older who had no history of major chronic diseases. Participants took a Spirulina supplementation for 12 weeks and were administered comprehensive dietary questionnaires to determine their nutritional regimen during the study. Complete cell count (CCC) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme activity, as a sign of immune function, were determined at baseline and weeks 6 and 12 of supplementation. Thirty study participants completed the entire study and the data obtained were analyzed. Over the 12-week study period, there was a steady increase in average values of mean corpuscular hemoglobin in subjects of both sexes. In addition, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration also increased in male participants. Older women appeared to benefit more rapidly from Spirulina supplements. Similarly, the majority of subjects manifested increased IDO activity and white blood cell count at 6 and 12 weeks of Spirulina supplementation. Spirulina may ameliorate anemia and immunosenescence in older subjects. We encourage large human studies to determine whether this safe supplement could prove beneficial in randomized clinical trials.
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“The authors suggest that the intake of the supplement favorably affects anemia and immune dysfunction [117].”
From Application of Arthrospira platensis for Medicinal Purposes and the Food Industry: A Review of the Literature (2023) · cites this paper as [117]
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“Therefore, some authors suggest that the use of spirulina dietary supplements may ameliorate anemia [117,118].”
From Application of Arthrospira platensis for Medicinal Purposes and the Food Industry: A Review of the Literature (2023) · cites this paper as [117]
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“Studies have demonstrated that BGA consumption promotes immunity and protects against inflammatory diseases such as colitis, arthritis, and allergic rhinitis in animals and humans [39–42].”
From Edible blue-green algae reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting NF-κB pathway in macrophages and splenocytes (2013) · cites this paper as [39]
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T Cell Responses Are Better Correlates of Vaccine Protection in the Elderly
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Nutritional and therapeutic potential of spirulina
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C-Phycocyanin: A potent peroxyl radical scavenger in Vivo and in Vitro
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Aging of the Immune System: How Much Can the Adaptive Immune System Adapt?
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Biology of Immune Responses to Vaccines in Elderly Persons
Weinberger, B., Herndler‐Brandstetter, D., Schwanninger, A., Weiskopf, D., & Grubeck‐Loebenstein, B. (2008) · Clinical Infectious Diseases · doi:10.1086/529197 · Cited by 392
The number of human peripheral blood CD4+ CD25high regulatory T cells increases with age
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Validity and reliability of the Block98 food-frequency questionnaire in a sample of Canadian women
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The antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina: An overview
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Parodi, A., Leip, A., de Boer, I. J. M., Slegers, P. M., Ziegler, F., Temme, E. H. M., Herrero, M., Tuomisto, H. L., Valin, H., van Middelaar, C. E., et al. (2018) · Nature Sustainability · doi:10.1038/s41893-018-0189-7 · Cited by 412
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AlFadhly, N. K. Z., Alhelfi, N., Altemimi, A. B., Verma, D. K., Cacciola, F., & Narayanankutty, A. (2022) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules27175584 · Cited by 225
Metadata
- Authors
- Selmi, C., Leung, P. S., Fischer, L., German, B., Yang, C.-Y., Kenny, T. P., Cysewski, G. R., & Gershwin, M. E.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Davis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Gershwin, M Eric
- Venue
- Cellular & Molecular Immunology
- Published
- 2011-01-31
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 248-254
- ISSN
- 1672-7681 (ISSN-L)
- 2042-0226
- PMC
- PMC4012879
- OpenAlex
- W2014151324
- Cited by
- 143
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 9.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Keywords
- Spirulina, anemia, immunosenescence, older adults, dietary supplementation, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, immune function, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cell count, sex differences, dietary intervention
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anemia, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Antioxidants, Hemoglobins, Humans, Immunity, Male, Middle Aged, Dietary Supplements, Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase, Spirulina
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