Method for enhancing stem cell trafficking
Consumption of blue-green algae, or extracts thereof, enhances trafficking or homing of stem cells in animals by inducing a transient increase in the population of stem cells present in the animal's circulatory system. The animal may be healthy or suffering some disease or physiological condition.
1 . A method for enhancing stem cell trafficking in a subject, comprising:
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a blue-green algae, or a component thereof, thereby enhancing stem cell trafficking.
2 . The method according to claim 1 where the subject is a mammal.
3 . The method according to claim 1 where the subject is a human.
4 . The method according to claim 1 where the blue-green algae is administered as dried whole cells.
5 . The method according to claim 1 where the blue-green algae is administered as a liquid fresh or frozen whole cells.
6 . The method according to claim 1 where the blue-green algae is Aphanizomenon flos aquae.
7 . The method according to claim 1 where the blue-green algae is a species of Spirulina.
8 . The method according to claim 1 where stem cell trafficking is increased by at least 200% as compared to a control.
9 . The method according to claim 8 where stem cell trafficking is increased about 100% to about 500% as compared to a control.
10 . The method according to claim 1 where the stem cell is a CD34+ cell.
11 . The method according to claim 1 where the subject has suffered a traumatic injury.
12 . The method according to claim 1 where the subject has a disease or physiological disorder.
13 . The method according to claim 12 where disease or physiological disorder is osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cardiac infarction, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, or cirrhosis of the liver.
14 . A method for enhancing stem homing in a subject, comprising:
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a blue-green algae, or a component thereof, thereby enhancing stem cell homing.
15 . The method according to claim 14 where the subject is a mammal.
16 . The method according to claim 14 where the subject is a human.
17 . The method according to claim 14 where the blue-green algae is administered as dried whole cells.
18 . The method according to claim 14 where the blue-green algae is Aphanizomenon flos aquae.
19 . The method according to claim 14 where stem cell homing is increased by at least 200% as compared to a control.
20 . The method according to claim 19 where stem cell homing is increased about 100% to about 500% as compared to a control.
21 . The method according to claim 14 where the stem cell is a CD34+ cell.
22 . A method of treating a subject with a disorder amenable to treatment with stem cells, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a blue green algae or a component thereof.
23 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the subject has osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cardiac infarction, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, or cirrhosis of the liver.