Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of spirulina on rat model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Abstract

The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear, but accumulating data suggest oxidative stress and the relationship between inflammation and immunity plays a crucial role. The aim of this study is to investigate the spirulina, which is a blue-green algae rich in proteins and other nutritional elements, and its component-phycocyanin effect on a rat model of NASH. NASH model rats were established by feeding male Wistar rats with choline-deficient high-fat diet (CDHF) and intermittent hypoxemia by sodium nitrite challenge after 5 weeks of CDHF. After experimental period of 10 weeks, blood and liver were collected to determine oxidative stress injuries and efficacies of spirulina or phycocyanin on NASH model rats. In the NASH model rats, increase in plasma liver enzymes and liver fibrosis, increases in productions of reactive oxygen species from liver mitochondria and from leukocytes, the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B, and the change in the lymphocyte surface antigen ratio (CD4+/CD8+) were observed. The spirulina and phycocyanin administration significantly abated these changes. The spirulina or phycocyanin administration to model rats of NASH might lessen the inflammatory response through anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, breaking the crosstalk between oxidative stress and inflammation, and effectively inhibit NASH progression.

Spirulina Protects against Hepatic Inflammation in Aging: An Effect Related to the Modulation of the Gut Microbiota?

“…Consequently, we would suggest an inhibition of the TLR4-dependent inflammation in liver tissue after Spirulina supplementation, which would reflect an enhancement of the hepatic immune response. Such a result has been already described in a rat model of NASH in which Spirulina administration inhibited NASH progression through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms [31]. Given that the liver and gut are connected through the portal vein, we can speculate that anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina in the liver may be dependent on improvements of the gut immune system or changes in gut barrier function via the production of AMPs [9,13].…”

Marine algal natural products with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties

“…For example, the spirulina alga had anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects when assessed using a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model [15]. C-phycocyanin [17], a biliprotein isolated from Spirulina platensis , suppressed inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and by inhibiting the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygeanase-2 [89].…”

“…Studies on the bioactivities of marine algae have revealed numerous health-promoting effects, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer effects. This mini-review will evaluate the specific effects found with red (Rhodophyta) [7-11], green (Chlorophyta) [12,13], brown (Phaeophyta) [14], and blue-green [15-18] species of marine algae. Figure 1 provides a brief overview of this mini-review.…”

Effects of dietary supplementation with freshwater microalgae on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut health in weaned piglets

“…Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties from Spirulina and Chlorella compounds have been highlighted by in vitro and in vivo studies (Vijayavel et al, 2007;Cherng et al, 2010;Pak et al, 2012). A greater villus height in the jejunum of pigs receiving diets supplemented with Spirulina and Chlorella could result from a reduction in mucosal damage caused by oxidative stress (Zhu et al, 2012) or local inflammation after weaning, and explain the increased nutrient digestibility in trial 2.…”