Crossbred Sows Fed a Western Diet during Pre-Gestation, Gestation, Lactation, and Post-Lactation Periods Develop Signs of Lean Metabolic Syndrome That Are Partially Attenuated by Spirulina Supplementation

Abstract

Excessive dietary intake of fats and sugars (“Western diet”, WD) is one of the leading causes of obesity. The consumption of the microalga Arthrospira platensis (spirulina, Sp) is increasing due to its presumed health benefits. Both WD and Sp are also consumed by pregnant and breastfeeding women. This study investigated if gestating and lactating domestic pigs are an appropriate model for WD-induced metabolic disturbances similar to those observed in humans and if Sp supplementation may attenuate any of these adverse effects. Pigs were fed a WD high in fat, sugars, and cholesterol or a control diet. Half of the animals per diet group were supplemented with 20 g Sp per day. The WD did not increase body weight or adipose tissue accumulation but led to metabolic impairments such as higher cholesterol concentration in plasma, lower IGF1 plasma levels, and signs of hepatic damage compared to the control group. Spirulina supplementation could not reduce all the metabolic impairments observed in WD-fed animals. These findings indicate limited suitability of gestating and lactating domestic pigs as a model for WD but a certain potential of low-dose Sp supplementation to partially attenuate negative WD effects.

Dietary spirulina supplementation modifies rumen development, fermentation and bacteria composition in Hu sheep when consuming high-fat dietary

“…Based on these nutritional benefits, spirulina is now used as a food supplement for both humans and livestock. Spirulina can be used as an amino acid supplement in poultry and piglet diets and is effective in relieving sows from nutritional metabolism disorders due to gestation (7)(8)(9). A previous study showed that it was beneficial to lamb growth when they were fed 20% spirulina supplementation (10).…”

New Insights into High-Fat Diet with Chronic Diseases

“…In addition, two articles specifically delve into lipid metabolism in unique populations. The study by R. Lugarà et al investigates the impact of a Western diet on gestating and lactating sows, revealing signs of lean metabolic syndrome characterized by disrupted cholesterol levels, decreased IGF1 levels, and indications of hepatic damage [ 6 ]. Spirulina supplementation in this context partially mitigates these effects, hinting at its potential to counteract some of the negative outcomes associated with a Western diet.…”

Leverage of Dietary Spirulina on Physiological Profiles of Black Iraqi Goats

“…Depended on nutritional advantage, SP is now considered as a food addictive for human and animals. Spirulina could be deemed as an amino acid addictive in piglet and poultry diets and it plays a vital role in relieving pigs from nutritional metabolism disturbance due to pregnancy (Lugarà et al, 2022).…”