Effects of Water-Soluble and -Insoluble Fractions fo Spirulina on Serum Lipid Components and Glucose Tolerance in Rats.

Abstract

Effects of Spirulina on serum lipid components and glucose tolerance in rats were studied.Experiment diets were prepared with 20% Spirulina water-soluble fraction (SS), with 20% Spirulina waterinsoluble fraction (SI) or with 18% casein (CN). Each group of 8 male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with SS, SI and CN diets for 4 weeks in individual cages. Fasting serum glucose levels were measured on the 7th and 28th days, and glucose tolerance on the 28th day. The nitrogen balance was also examined during the last 3 days. Total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in serum were measured on the 28th day when the rats were sacrificed. No effect was observed on either growth or feed efficiency among all groups. The highest ratio of HDL-cholesterol to other cholesterols and the low fasting serum glucose levels were observed in the SS group. In the glucose tolerance test, the elevation of glucose seemed to be more suppressed in the SI group than in the SS group.

Effect of microalga Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) on hippocampus lipoperoxidation and lipid profile in rats with induced hypercholesterolemia

“…The absence of phycotoxins is an advantage of Spirulina when compared to other cyanobacteria and studies on chronic and subchronic toxicity did not reveal any toxic effect related to its intake (Sanchez et al, 2003;Salazar et al, 1998), as long as there was absence of toxigenic cyanobacteria in its culture (Costa et al, 2006). Experiments conducted in different animal models demonstrated that a supplementary diet with Spirulina could promote a decrease in plasma (Iwata et al, 1990;Hosoyamada et al, 1991) and hepatic (De Rivera et al, 1993) total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and phospholipids, besides increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) (Hosoyamada et al, 1991). In humans, studies have indicated a significant reduction in the total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein), and triglycerides, elevation in HDL cholesterol (Ramamoorthy and Premakuri, 1996), and reduction of atherogenic effect (Nakaya et al, 1988).…”

Spirulina, exercício e controle da glicemia em ratos diabéticos

“…São relatados na literatura dados que evidenciam o efeito hipoglicêmico da Spirulina. Esse efeito é atribuído, principalmente, à fração hidrossolúvel dessa alga que é composta por uma proteína chamada ficocianina que atua como agente hipoglicemiante, e às suas fibras, as quais induzem a redução da absorção de glicose no trato gastrointestinal (7,18). Como ainda é bastante conflitante na literatura a dosagem mais adequada e o tempo de intervenção para a melhor resposta do organismo à alga, isso pode ter influenciado em nossos resultados.…”

“…As frações hidro e lipossolúveis da Spirulina são efetivas em diminuir os níveis de glicose sérica de ratos em jejum (18,19). Segundo estudo realizado por Layam e Reddy (20), essa alga, administrada na concentração de 15 mg/kg corporal, pode aumentar os níveis séri-cos de insulina em ratos insulino-dependentes.…”

The beneficial effects of spirulina focusing on its immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties

“…38 In allergic rhinitis patients, a more recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed marked reduction in the secretion of proinflammatory IL-4 by 32% along with symptomatic relief on supplementing them with spirulina platensis. 40 It was also seen to reduce inflammation in arthritis patients and this reduction was due to the stimulation to secrete IL-2 which regulates inflammatory response. 25 The immunostimulatory effects of spirulina on TNF-α play a major role in precipitating autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed persons.…”

“…Spirulina significantly acts indirectly on NK cells as it is critically important for NK-mediated IFNγ production. 40,41 Several immunological functions such as NK cell activity were seen to show a two fold increase by spirulina supplementation at 10,000 ppm as dietary inclusion in Cornell K-strain White Leghorns and broiler chicks. 42 The primary response to sheep red blood cells was increased due to the production of splenic antibody producing cells in spirulina fed mice though the IgG Ab production in secondary response was rarely seen (Table 2).…”