The effects of spirulina and its chromophore phycocyanin, both without bound Se or selenium-enriched, were studied on plasma cholesterol, early atherosclerosis, cardiac production of superoxide anions, and NAD(P)H oxidase expression in hamsters. Forty hamsters were divided into 5 groups of 8 and fed an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks. They received by gavage either 7.14 mL/(kg day) phycocyanin (PC), Se-rich phycocyanin (SePC), spirulina (SP) or Se-rich spirulina (SeSP) in water, or water as control. SeSP and SePC supplied 0.4 microg of Se per 100 g body weight. Plasma cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol concentrations were lower in group consuming SePC. HDL-cholesterol was never affected. SePC significantly increased plasma antioxidant capacity by 42% compared with controls. A sparing effect in liver glutathione peroxidase (87% on average) and superoxide dismutase (56% on average) activity was observed for all the groups compared to controls. Aortic fatty streak area was significantly reduced in the experimental groups, especially by PC (82%) and SePC (85%). Cardiac production of superoxide anion significantly decreased by approximately 46-76% in the four experimental groups and especially in SePC group (76%). The expression of p22phox subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase decreased by 34% after consumption of SePC. The results indicate that chronic consumption of Se-rich spirulina phycocyanin powerfully prevents the development of atherosclerosis. The underlying mechanism is related mainly to inhibiting pro-oxidant factors and at a lesser extent improving the serum lipid profile.
The effects of fruit and vegetable extract (Oxxynea) on plasma cholesterol, early atherosclerosis, cardiac production of superoxide anion, and NAD(P)H oxidase expression were studied in an animal model of atherosclerosis. Thirty six hamsters were divided into two groups of 18 and fed an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks. They received by gavage either water or Oxxynea in water at a human dose equivalent of 10 fruits and vegetables per day. Oxxynea lowered plasma cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, but not HDL-cholesterol, and increased plasma antioxidant capacity. It also strongly reduced the area of aortic fatty streak deposition by 77%, cardiac production of superoxide anion by 45%, and p22phox subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase expression by 59%. These findings support the view that chronic consumption of antioxidants supplied by fruits and vegetables has potential beneficial effects with respect to the development of atherosclerosis. The underlying mechanism is related mainly to inhibiting pro-oxidant factors and improving the serum lipid profile.
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