Method for enhancing stem cell trafficking

Abstract

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.