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 cardiac infarction; and
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of Aphanizomenon flos aquae,
thereby enhancing stem cell trafficking in the subject.
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 liquid fresh or frozen whole cells.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein stem cell trafficking is increased about 100% to about 500% as compared to a control.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the stem cell is a CD34+ cell.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising measuring CD34+ stem cells in the subject.
9. 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 cardiac infarction; and
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of Aphanizomenon flos aquae,
thereby enhancing stem cell homing in the subject.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the subject is a mammal.
11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the subject is a human.
12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the Aphanizomenon flos aquae is administered as dried whole cells.
13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the Aphanizomenon flos aquae is administered as liquid fresh or frozen whole cells.
14. The method according to claim 9 , wherein stem cell homing is increased about 100% to about 500% as compared to a control.
15. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the stem cell is a CD34+ cell.
16. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising measuring CD34+ stem cells in the subject.
17. A method of treating a subject with a disease amenable to treatment with stem cells, comprising:
selecting a subject with a disease amenable to treatment with stem cells, wherein the disease is cardiac infarction; and
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of Aphanizomenon flos aquae,
thereby treating the disease.