Method for enhancing stem cell trafficking

• US 6,814,961 B1
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Desert Lake Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Christian Drapeau, Gitte S. Jensen
• Inventors: Jensen, Gitte S., Drapeau, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Afremova, Vera
• Application Number:
  US10/145,081
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 424/93.1, 424/195.17, 435/257.1, 435/946
• US Class Current: 424/93.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/748 Cyanobacteria, i.e. blue-green bacteria or blue-green algae, e.g. spirulina algae, microalgae or microphytes A61K36/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/16 for liver or gallbladder disorders, e.g. hepatoprotective agents, cholagogues, litholytics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/10 for osteoporosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 21/00 Drugs for disorders of the muscular or neuromuscular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/16 Anti-Parkinson drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/28 for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/946 using algae

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.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing CD34+ stem cell trafficking in a subject, comprising:

administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an Aphanizomenon species of blue-green algae, or a component thereof; and

detecting CD34+ stem cells in the peripheral blood of the subject,

thereby enhancing CD34+ stem cell trafficking in the subject.

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 wherein about 1 gram to about 5 grams of Aphanizomenon flos aquae is administered.

7. The method according to claim 1 where CD34+ stem cell trafficking is increased by at least 200% as compared to a control.

8. The method according to claim 7 where CD34+ stem cell trafficking is increased about 100% to about 500% as compared to a control.

9. The method according to claim 1 where the subject has suffered a traumatic injury.

10. The method according to claim 1 where the subject has a disease or physiological disorder.

11. A method for enhancing CD34+ stem homing in a subject, comprising:

administering to the subject about 1 grams to about 5 grams of an Aphanizomenon species of a blue-green algae; and

detecting CD34+ cells in the peripheral blood of the subject;

thereby enhancing CD34+ stem cell homing.

12. The method according to claim 11 where the subject is a mammal.

13. The method according to claim 11 where the subject is a human.

14. The method according to claim 11 where the Aphanizomenon species of a blue-green algae is administered as dried whole cells.

15. The method according to claim 11 where the blue-green algae is Aphanizomenon flos aquae.

16. The method according to claim 11 where stem cell homing is increased by at least 200% as compared to a control.

17. The method according to claim 16 where stem cell homing is increased about 100% to about 500% as compared to a control.

18. The method according to claim 11 where the stem cell is a CD34+ cell.