Evaluation of the potential of 4 micro algae extracts to modulate the immune response and metabolic state in intestinal epithelium cells

Micro algae's are used as alternative protein source in human and animal diets. Besides micro algae contain substantial amounts of proteins they also contain a high concentration of, often unique, biological and chemical substances with potential to induce beneficial and health promoting effects in humans and animals. This study was set up to evaluate the potential of these substances to improve (intestinal) health. The effect of extracts prepared from 3 monocultures of micro algae's (Chlorella vulgaris [C], Haematococcus pluvialis [H], and Spirulina platensis [S]) and a mixed culture of micro algae's (AM; a mixture of Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp. ) was studied in the presence and absence of the enterotoxigenic bacterium Escherichia coli k99 strain (ETEC, [E]) as an in vitro challenge. The E.coli-k99 strain with adhesion factor F41 (41/32) was isolated from a mastitis-infected udder. Gene expression was measured in cultured intestinal porcine epithelium cells (IPECJ2 cell line) after 2 and 6 hours incubation with C, H, and S extracts, and after 6 hours with the AM extract, using “whole genome” porcine microarrays. Gene expression profiles were analysed using functional bioinformatics programs to provide insight in the biological processes induced by micro algae extracts.