Kagawa Nutrition University
Osamu Hayashi, Ph.D.
Immunochemistry
Outline of Research Activities

Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis, a helicoidal filamentous blue-green alga or cyanobacterium, has been used as a food for over a thousand years. It has been commercially produced for almost 40 years as a food supplement. Spirulina contains high-quality protein, as well as other nutritional components such as vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids including γ-linolenic acid, and β-carotene. Attention has also been focused on the study of the therapeutic effects of Spirulina. In addition to its effectiveness in reducing hyperlipidemia, diabetes and high blood pressure in human and animals and in the treatment of atopic bronchial asthma, the anti-viral and anti-cancer effects of orally administered S. platensis have been reported. We are now focusing our studies on the effect of Spirulina and other nutrients on maintaining normal immune functions and the induction of immunocompetent cell differentiation to protect against allergy, infectious diseases, and aging.

Recent Publications

Ishii, K., Shi, Y., Katoh, T., Hayashi, O, : Effect of phycocyanin, one of the extracts of Spirulina, on differentiation of U937 and HL-60 human myeloid leukemia cell lines. J. Phys. Fit. Nutr. Immunol., 19(3), 222-232 (2009)

Hayashi, O., Katayanagi, Y., Ishii, K., and Kato, T.: Flow Cytometric analysis of age-related changes in intestine intraepithelial lymphocyte subsets and their functional preservation after feeding mice on Spirulina. J. Med. Food, 12(5), 982-989 (2009)

Hayashi, O. : Study on health effects of Spirulina as a dietary supplement (Japanese). Journal for the Integrated Study of Dietary Habits, 18(1), 19-24 (2007)

Hayashi, O., Ishii, K., and Kato, T.: Charpter 10 Spirulina and Antibody Production. In: Gershwin, M.E. & Belay, A. eds. Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, pp.205-226 (2007)

Hayashi, O., Murakami, N., Ishii, K., and Miyaji, N.: Influence of astaxanthin ingestion on the mucosal immune responses in adult and aged mice. J. Phys. Fit. Nutr. Immunol., 17, 12-22 (2007)

Hayashi, O., Ono, S., Ishii, K., Shi, Y., Hirahashi, T., Kato, T.: Enhancement of proliferation and differentiation in bone marrow hematopoietic cells by Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis in mice. J. Appl. Phycol., 18, 47-56(2006)

Nemoto-Kawamura, C., Hirahashi, T., Nagai, T., Yamada, H., Kato, T., and Hayashi, O.: Phycocyanin enhances secretory IgA antibody response and suppresses allergic IgE antibody response in mice immunized with antigen-entrapped biodegradable microparticles. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 50, 129-136(2004)

Nemoto-Kawamura, C., Ishii, K., Miyajima, H., Hiarahashi, Y., Kato, T., and Hayashi, O.: Effect of Spirulina phycocyanin ingestion on the mucosal antibody responses in mice (Japanese). J. Phys. Fit. Nutr. Immunol., 13, 102-111 (2003)

Ning, Y.B., Nemoto-Kawamura, C., Ishii, K., and Hayashi, O.: Age-related change of mouse Peyer’s patch in scanning electron-microscopic observation and its relation to mucosal immune response (Japanese). J. Phys. Fit. Nutr. Immunol., 13, 90-101 (2003)

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