<i>Aphanothece sacrum</i> (Sur.) Okada Prevents Cataractogenesis in Type 1 Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Summary Aphanothece sacrum (Sur.) Okada is a species of cyanobacteria found in Japan. Although it has been used in local cuisine in Kyushu, Japan, for 250 y, little is known about its beneficial effect as food. The daily intake of health beneficial phytochemicals is believed to be useful for preventing lifestyle-related diseases, such as diabetic cataracts. In this study, the inhibitory effect of freeze-dried A. sacrum (Asa) on the formation of diabetic cataracts (DCs) was evaluated. Type 1 diabetes was induced in mice using streptozotocin (STZ). The mice were divided into two groups: one was fed a normal diet (DM-control group) and the other was fed a diet containing 1% Asa (DM-Asa group). During the study, changes in blood glucose levels and the amount of food and water consumed were measured. After 3 mo, the amount of N ε -(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), an oxidative stress marker, in the lens was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Although the blood glucose levels (pϭ0.91) and food consumption did not significantly change in any group, the oral administration of Asa tended to suppress CML accumulation (pϭ0.15) and significantly inhibited the progression of cataractogenesis in the diabetic lens compared with that reported for the normal diet (pϭ0.009). These results suggested that the daily intake of A. sacrum prevents the pathogenesis of cataracts, and indicated that may reduce the number of DC patients.

<i>Trapa bispinosa</i> Roxb. and lutein ameliorate cataract in type 1 diabetic rats

“…The degree of cataract formation was quantified by visual inspection and grading. (26,27,30) As shown in Fig. 4A, many diabetic rats developed severe cataracts.…”

“…Cataracts were graded on a 1 to 4 scale by placing the lenses on a grid sheet, as described previously. (26,27) Statistical analyses. Data with homogeneity (body weight, and CML and CEL contents) were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).…”

RAGE activation in macrophages and development of experimental diabetic polyneuropathy

“…Similarly, those assessments for small fibers in RN-DM did not show any impairments compared with non-DM littermates. Serum AGEs were evaluated by electrospray ionization liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) ( 34 ). Mice in both diabetic groups showed 1.5-fold higher serum Nε-carboxymethyl lysine (CML) concentrations than their nondiabetic counterparts.…”

Health Benefits, Food Applications, and Sustainability of Microalgae-Derived N-3 PUFA

“…These species are also traditionally consumed by people in Mongolia, Tartaria, and South America [204]. Aphanotheca sacrum is found in Japan and during the Edo period, the domain of Hosokawa and Akizuki conserved Aphanotheca sacrum as a material of rare country dishes [209], and the biomass of this microalgae has been used in local cuisine in Kyushu, Japan, for over 250 years [210]. The filamentous green algae Spirogyra and Oedogonium are used as a dietary component in Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, and India [204].…”