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:
selecting a subject with a disease or physiological condition, wherein the disease or physiological condition is Parkinson's disease or traumatic injury; and
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of Aphanizomenon flos aquae ,
thereby enhancing stem cell trafficking in the subject with the disease or physiological condition.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Aphanizomenon flos aquae is administered as dried whole cells.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Aphanizomenon flos aquae is administered as a liquid fresh or frozen whole cells.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein stem cell trafficking is increased by at least 200% as compared to a control.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein stem cell trafficking is increased about 100% to about 500% as compared to a control.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the stem cell is a CD34+ cell.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the subject has a traumatic injury.
10. A method for enhancing stem cell homing in a subject, comprising:
selecting a subject with a disease or physiological condition, wherein the disease or physiological condition is Parkinson's disease or traumatic injury; and
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of Aphanizomenon flos aquae ,
thereby enhancing stem cell homing in the subject with the disease or physiological condition.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the subject is a mammal.
12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the subject is a human.
13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the Aphanizomenon flos aquae is administered as dried whole cells.
14. The method according to claim 10 , wherein stem cell homing is increased by at least 200% as compared to a control.
15. The method according to claim 10 , wherein stem cell homing is increased about 100% to about 500% as compared to a control.
16. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the stem cell is a CD34+ cell.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring CD34+ stem cells in the subject.
18. The method of claim 17 , comprising measuring CD34+ stem cells in the circulation of the subject from about 2 to about 3 hours following administration of the Aphanizomenon flos aquae.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the disease or condition is Parkinson's disease.
20. The method of claim 10 , wherein the disease or condition is Parkinson's disease.
21. The method of claim 10 , wherein the disease or condition is traumatic injury.