Chromatographic Analyses of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Mechanism of Its Protective Effects against Experimental Obesity and Hepatic Steatosis in Rats.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the protective effects of spirulina against cafeteria diet-induced obesity, oxidative stress, and lipotoxicity in rats.
Results Summary
Spirulina treatment significantly reduced liver alterations, lipid profile disorders, and oxidative stress associated with obesity in rats fed a cafeteria diet.
Population
Rats (animal study)
Effective Dosage
500 mg/kg body weight, per oral, daily
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
cafeteria diet | increase | weights of the body, liver, and abdominal fat | rats | - | increased | #1 |
cafeteria diet | increase | severe hepatic alteration | rats | - | induced | #2 |
cafeteria diet | increase | disturbances in the metabolic parameters of serum | rats | - | induced | #3 |
cafeteria diet | increase | lipotoxicity associated with oxidative stress | rats | - | induced | #4 |
spirulina | decrease | liver alteration of CD feed | rats | - | significantly reduced | #5 |
spirulina | decrease | lipid profile disorder associated with obesity | rats | - | reduced | #6 |
spirulina | decrease | obesity | rats | - | has a marked potential therapeutic effect against | #7 |
spirulina | decrease | disturbances in liver function parameters | rats | - | mitigates | #8 |
spirulina | decrease | histological alterations | rats | - | mitigates | #9 |
spirulina | decrease | oxidative stress status | rats | - | mitigates | #10 |
Background and Objectives: Obesity is currently a major health problem due to fatty acid accumulation and excess intake of energy, which leads to an increase in oxidative stress, particularly in the liver. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of spirulina (SP) against cafeteria diet (CD)-induced obesity, oxidative stress, and lipotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: The rats were divided into four groups and received daily treatments for eight weeks as follows: control group fed a standard diet (SD 360 g/d); cafeteria diet group (CD 360 g/d); spirulina group (SP 500 mg/kg); and CD + SP group (500 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) according to body weight (b.w.) per oral (p.o.). Results: Our results show that treatment with a CD increased the weights of the body, liver, and abdominal fat. Additionally, severe hepatic alteration, disturbances in the metabolic parameters of serum, and lipotoxicity associated with oxidative stress in response to the CD-induced obesity were observed. However, SP treatment significantly reduced the liver alteration of CD feed and lipid profile disorder associated with obesity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that spirulina has a marked potential therapeutic effect against obesity and mitigates disturbances in liver function parameters, histological alterations, and oxidative stress status.