Anti-Obesity Effects of Microalgae

Gómez‐Zorita, Saioa; Trepiana, Jenifer; González-Arceo, Maitane; Aguirre, Leixuri; Milton-Laskíbar, Iñaki; González, Marcela Hebe; Eseberri, Itziar; Fernández‐Quintela, Alfredo; Baquedano, María Puy Portillo

doi:10.3390/ijms21010041

Cited by 35 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Microalgae produce various compounds that can be consumed as food products. These compounds are not only used to supplement the diet but are also used in the prevention or treatment of diseases and/or disorders 1 , 2 . Euglena gracilis ( E. gracilis ) is a candidate fast-proliferating microalga, besides Chlorella and Spirulina , and research into its commercial cultivation is ongoing 3 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The alga Euglena gracilis stimulates Faecalibacterium in the gut and contributes to increased defecation

Nakashima¹,

Sasaki

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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The alga Euglena gracilis (E. gracilis) has recently gained attention as a health food, but its effects on human gut microbiota remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of E. gracilis on gut microbiota and defecation due to modulation of microbiota composition in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro model simulating human colonic microbiota revealed that E. gracilis addition stimulated the growth of commensal Faecalibacterium. Further, E. gracilis addition enhanced butyrate production by Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Paramylon, an insoluble dietary fibre that accumulates in E. gracilis and is the main component of E. gracilis, did not stimulate Faecalibacterium growth in vitro. Daily ingestion of 2 g of E. gracilis for 30 days increased bowel movement frequency as well as stool volume in 28 human participants. Collectively, these findings indicate that E. gracilis components other than paramylon, stimulate the growth of Faecalibacterium to improve digestive health as well as promote defecation by increasing butyrate production.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The alga Euglena gracilis stimulates Faecalibacterium in the gut and contributes to increased defecation

Nakashima¹,

Sasaki

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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“…In vivo studies indicate that Arthrospira maxima and platensis , as well as other microalgae, exert their anti-obesity effects via the reduction of both adipogenesis in white adipose tissue (WAT) and lipogenesis in WAT and brown adipose tissue (BAT). They increase lipolysis in WAT, lipid oxidation in WAT and skeletal muscle, and also thermogenesis and mitochondriogenesis in WAT, BAT, and skeletal muscle [ 19 ]. An ethanolic extract of A. maxima (150 or 450 mg/kg/day) reduced body weight, both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, blood fasting glucose and lipid concentrations in mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet [ 20 ].…”

Section: Spirulina ( Arthrospira ) and Metabolimentioning

confidence: 99%

Edible Microalgae and Their Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Alterations

et al. 2021

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Marine and freshwater algae and their products are in growing demand worldwide because of their nutritional and functional properties. Microalgae (unicellular algae) will constitute one of the major foods of the future for nutritional and environmental reasons. They are sources of high-quality protein and bioactive molecules with potential application in the modern epidemics of obesity and diabetes. They may also contribute decisively to sustainability through carbon dioxide fixation and minimization of agricultural land use. This paper reviews current knowledge of the effects of consuming edible microalgae on the metabolic alterations known as metabolic syndrome (MS). These microalgae include Chlorella, Spirulina (Arthrospira) and Tetraselmis as well as Isochrysis and Nannochloropsis as candidates for human consumption. Chlorella biomass has shown antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, and antihyperlipidemic effects in humans and other mammals. The components of microalgae reviewed suggest that they may be effective against MS at two levels: in the early stages, to work against the development of insulin resistance (IR), and later, when pancreatic -cell function is already compromised. The active components at both stages are antioxidant scavengers and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators such as carotenoids and -3 PUFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid; EPA/DHA), prebiotic polysaccharides, phenolics, antihypertensive peptides, several pigments such as phycobilins and phycocyanin, and some vitamins, such as folate. As a source of high-quality protein, including an array of bioactive molecules with potential activity against the modern epidemics of obesity and diabetes, microalgae are proposed as excellent foods for the future. Moreover, their incorporation into the human diet would decisively contribute to a more sustainable world because of their roles in carbon dioxide fixation and reducing the use of land for agricultural purposes.

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“…Marine products have great attention due to their potential applications in functional foods and food additives because of their health-promoting properties, including antiobesity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects [ 61 ]. Recent studies have revealed new roles of marine products in adipocyte browning and energy balance ( Table 3 ).…”

Section: Marine Products That Induce Adipose Browningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spirulina maxima is a microalga that is abundant in essential nutrients and includes pigment proteins including chlorophyll a and C-phycocyanin [ 67 , 68 ]. Studies have reported that S. maxima exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects [ 61 ] but its potential in obesity and adipose tissues is unclear. A recent study examined the ethanol extract of S. maxima on adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and browning using in vitro and in vivo mouse models [ 63 ].…”

Section: Marine Products That Induce Adipose Browningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Extracts That Stimulate Adipocyte Browning and Their Underlying Mechanisms

Lee

Kim

2021

Antioxidants

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Despite progress in understanding the developmental lineage and transcriptional factors regulating brown and beige adipocytes, the role of environmental modifiers, such as food components and natural extracts, remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, the undesirable pleiotropic effects produced by synthetic drugs targeting adipose tissue browning and thermogenesis necessitate research into alternative natural sources to combat obesity and related metabolic disorders. The current review, therefore, focused on the effects of various extracts from foods, plants, and marine products on adipose tissue browning and obesity. In particular, the recent findings of food components and marine products on adipose tissue browning will be discussed here.

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Anti-Obesity Effects of Microalgae

Cited by 35 publications

References 19 publications

The alga Euglena gracilis stimulates Faecalibacterium in the gut and contributes to increased defecation

The alga Euglena gracilis stimulates Faecalibacterium in the gut and contributes to increased defecation

Edible Microalgae and Their Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Alterations

Natural Extracts That Stimulate Adipocyte Browning and Their Underlying Mechanisms

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