The influence of Parachlorella beyerinckii CK-5 on the absorption and excretion of methylmercury (MeHg) in mice

Abstract

-Chlorella (Parachlorella beyerinckiiChlorella vulgaris CK-5, is a unicellular green algae that has for many years been used as a nutritional supplement. In order Chlorella, we examined the absorption and excretion of MeHg in mice. Female C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into three groups 5 mg (4 mg Hg)/kg body weight with or without 100 mg/mouse of P. beyerinckii powder (BP), and were assigned to either a MeHg group or MeHg + BP group, accordingly. Twenty-four hr after oral administration, feces and urine were collected, and blood, liver, and kidney samples were obtained. Total mercury contents in the samples obtained were determined using an atomic absorption method. The amounts of Hg excreted in feces and urine of the MeHg + BP group were increased nearly 1.9 and 2.2-fold compared -ent between two groups. These results suggest that the intake of BP may induce the excretion of Hg both in feces and urine, although it does not affect MeHg absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of BP on the tissue mercury accumulation may become evident in a long-term experiment.Parachlorella beyerinckii, MeHg, Chlorella

Chlorella suppresses methylmercury transfer to the fetus in pregnant mice

“…Nevertheless, CP-induced reductions of Hg accumulation were not significant in the liver and kidney of mother mice, suggesting a possibility that CP feeding might result in an enhancement of Hg accumulations to these organs. In fact, co-administration of CP caused slight increases in liver and kidney Hg accumulations, though not significant, with concomitant significant increases in fecal and urinary Hg excretions in MeHg-treated mice (Uchikawa et al, 2010). Liver and kidney are the final organs for Hg excretion into feces and urine.…”

“…We have recently reported that Hg excretions into feces and urine in MeHg-treated female mice increase with co-administration of CP (Uchikawa et al, 2010) or feeding a CP diet (Uchikawa et al, 2011). Although we did not collect urine and feces using a metabolism cage in the Tissue Hg level (μg/g) was divided by blood Hg levels (μg/ml) in each mouse, and the mean ± S.D.…”

“…We have recently reported that chlorella intake enhances the tissue elimination of MeHg through stimulation of the excretion (Uchikawa et al, 2010(Uchikawa et al, , 2011. In the present study, to examine the effects of chlorella on MeHg transfer from mother's blood to the fetus, we fed a test diet containing 10% chlorella powder (CP) to mice for 7 to 8 weeks, from 4 weeks before mating to parturition.…”

<i>Chlorella </i>supplementation decreases methylmercury concentrations of hair and blood in healthy volunteers

“…Previously, we found that Chlorella increased mercury excretion and lowered tissue mercury levels in MeHgtreated mice (Uchikawa et al, 2010(Uchikawa et al, , 2011. Fecal excretion constitutes a major route for the elimination of MeHg, about 90% of the total elimination, in most animal species including humans (Norseth and Clarkson, 1970;Miettinen et al, 1971;Komsta-Szumska et al, 1983;WHO, 1990).…”

“…Thus, the discovery of a food material that could help detoxify the body from MeHg would be considered to beneficial to human health. We previously reported that Chlorella promoted the excretion of MeHg in both feces and urine, such that long-term administration of Chlorella enhances the elimination of tissue methylmercury in mice (Uchikawa et al, 2010(Uchikawa et al, , 2011. Here we studied the effect of 3-month Chlorella supplementation on mercury concentrations of blood and hair in healthy subjects.…”