Ameliorating Effect on Glycolipid Metabolism of Spirulina Functional Formulation Combination from Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

Insulin resistance is the major factor involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Although the oral drug metformin (MH) is widely used to reduce hyperglycemia, it is associated with adverse effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to search for safe and natural foods that do not cause adverse effects as alternatives to commercial drugs. In this study, the active substances from Spirulina platensis, Grifola frondosa, Panax ginseng, and chromium-rich yeast were used to obtain Spirulina functional formulations (SFFs), and its therapeutic effects on mice with glycolipid metabolism disorder (GLD) were investigated. Results showed that SFFs not only improved glycolipid metabolism and reduced inflammation in mice with GLD but also showed good regenerative effects on the liver, jejunum, and cecum tissues. Moreover, SFFs could inhibit the growth of harmful microbes in the intestine and promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, thereby promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids and further regulating GLD. Additionally, SFFs significantly increased the expression of INS, INSR, IRS-1, PI3K, AKT-1, and GLUT-4 genes and significantly decreased that of GSK-3β in the INS/PI3K/GLUT-4 signaling pathway. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that SFFs can be further developed as a new class of therapeutic agents against GLD.

Chicken cecal microbiota reduces abdominal fat deposition by regulating fat metabolism

“…Similarly, both of these bacteria contribute to increasing hepatic TG and serum TG, TC, and LDL-C levels in high-fat diet mice 45 , indicating more fat anabolism rather than fat catabolism, which is predicted to increase fat deposition. Further, Huang et al found that Parasutterella is involved in increasing TG, TC, and LDL-C levels, while decreasing HDL-C levels both in the liver and serum of mice 46 , and its higher abundance increases abdominal fat deposition because Parasutterella could break down high-energy foods and alter fat metabolism 40 , 47 . Another recent study reported that Anaerofustis could also regulate fat metabolism as it is positively associated with TG, TC, and LDL-C levels and negatively with HDL-C levels in serum 48 .…”

“…Parasutterella is involved in increasing TG, TC, and LDL-C levels, while decreasing HDL-C levels both in the liver and serum of mice 46 , and its higher abundance increases abdominal fat deposition because Parasutterella could break down high-energy foods and alter fat metabolism 40,47 . Another recent study reported that Anaerofustis could also regulate fat metabolism as it is positively associated with TG, TC, and LDL-C levels and negatively with HDL-C levels in serum 48 .…”

Sanghuangporus vaninii fruit body polysaccharide alleviates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia via modulating intestinal microflora in type 2 diabetic mice

“…Recently, intestinal microflora has received great attention, and its structure and stability are important for the maintenance of intestinal balance ( 40 ). Studies have shown that altering specific microorganisms in the intestine can affect the development of diabetes ( 41 , 42 ). In this study, 16S rRNA based sequencing analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of SVP on the structure of intestinal microflora.…”

Integrated Analysis of Gut Microbiome and Adipose Transcriptome Reveals Beneficial Effects of Resistant Dextrin from Wheat Starch on Insulin Resistance in Kunming Mice

“…This underscores the fact that metformin modulates the microbiota and plays multiple roles. However, administering metformin in conjunction with a high-fat, high-sugar diet or at the onset of abnormal glucose metabolism is suboptimal [28], as it may result in gastrointestinal distress. Therefore, investigating functional foods as an alternative approach would be a more prudent and sensible course of action.…”