C- Phycocyanin effect on IFN-γ production in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection: in vitro study

C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is the major phycobiliprotein in Spirulina. This blue colored red fluorescing biliprotein of algae was first reported by lemberg , (1928).The importance of IFN-γ in the immune system stems in part from its ability to inhibit viral replication directly, but most importantly derives from its immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory effects. (Schoenborn and Wilson 2007 ).To define the effect of C-phycocyanin on interferon gamma by PBMCS. 40 subjects were included in this study divided into 2 groups.Group I : 10 healthy subjectsGroup II :30 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection divided into three subgroups according to Child- Pugh classification .Subgroup(A):Included 10 patients with Child-Pugh classification,class ASubgroup(B) Included 10patients with Child- Pugh classification,class B Subgroup(C): Included 10patients with Child-Pugh classification,class CThe results showed that :● In control group & subgroups A,B,C : the mean level of INF–γ production in vitro study without addition of Phycocyanin or phytohemagglutinin was less than after addition of both 5μl &10 μl of phycocyanin on PBMNC and after addition of phytohemagglutinin on PBMNC.● Mean level of INF-γ production in the disease sub groups was higher than control group .Conclusion :-1-INF-γ production by PBMNCs was higher in hepatic patients than control group in resting condition as well as after addition 5μl ,10μl of C-PC and phytohemagglutinin2- INF-γ production by PBMNCs in patients with chronic hepatitis C was preserved in resting condition and increase after stimulation by both C-PC (at different doses 5 , 10 μl ) .Recommendations:-1- Trials with C-PC as supplements to INF-α therapy in patient with chronic hepatitis and to those even who unfit for INF-α treatment .2- The safety of spirulina and the high stimulatory effect of its constituent C-PC on IFN-γ production , encourage its use as food to both the disease & healthy persons .Key words : Phycocyanin- INF-γ- Spirulina