Protective effect ofSpirulina platensisagainst cell damage and apoptosis in hepatic tissue caused by high fat diet

Abstract

Spirulina platensis is a microalga that may be a source of antioxidants that can reduce body fat deposition. Consumption of a high fat diet produces elevated blood lipid levels, inflammation and apoptosis. We investigated the possible effects of S. platensis on the blood lipid profile, and liver inflammation and apoptosis in rats fed a high fat diet. Sixty-four young male rats were divided into eight equal groups. The control group was fed a basic diet. The experimental groups were fed a diet for 60 days that was prepared by mixing variable amounts of 43% vegetable oil and 10% cholesterol with or without 3% S. platensis mixed with the basal diet. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected from each animal. Serum samples were used to analyze lipid parameters, total antioxidant status and total oxidant status. iNOS and eNOS were determined by immunohistochemistry. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis to investigate a possible connection between inflammation and apoptosis in the liver tissue. The relations between fat deposition and liver degeneration were assessed by Sirius red staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin immunostaining. S. platensis reduced serum HDL-C, LDL-C and triglyceride, increased HDL-C levels in rats fed a high fat diet to near control levels, and reduced iNOS levels and increased eNOS levels in the liver tissue compared to vegetable oil and cholesterol treated groups. The apoptotic index was reduced in the groups that were fed a high fat or a basic diet when supplemented with S. platensis.

High Glucose Promotes CD36 Expression by Upregulating Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Levels to Exacerbate Lipid Deposition in Renal Tubular Cells

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that intracellular lipid accumulation can trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and induce inflammatory responses, eventually leading to cell death [38–40]. Therefore, the final experiment was performed to show the association between lipid accumulation and cell viability in HK-2 cells.…”

Effect of spirulina and silicon‐enriched spirulina on metabolic syndrome features, oxidative stress and mitochondrial activity in Zucker fatty rats

“…This is also in agreement with our previous study performed on Syrian hamsters, where we reported that supplementation with Sp, enriched or not, provided no protection against liver steatosis (Vidé, Virsolvy, et al, ). However, Yigit et al () have reported that Sp supplementation reduced serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rats fed a high‐fat diet to near control levels, with a decrease in the apoptotic index in the groups fed a high fat or a basic diet when supplemented with Sp. In addition, Moura et al () showed that Sp supplementation was effective in reducing total circulating levels of LDL‐cholesterol as well as hepatic lipids contents.…”

Protective Effects of Dietary Spirulina platensis against Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress in Gills of Rainbow Trout

“…Besides, antioxidant compounds, this microalga contain significant amounts of protein (more than 70%), long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), vitamins and especially vitamin B12, as well as minerals like zinc, manganese, magnesium, selenium and iron [13]. Oral administration of S. platensis is reported to increase the cellular antioxidant capacity and glutathione levels in cells against iron-induced oxidative stress [14] and prevent cell death induced by increased free radicals [15][16][17].…”