Dietary Arthrospira platensis improves systemic antioxidant potential and changes plasma lipids without affecting related hepatic metabolic pathways in post-weaned piglets

Abstract

Background The ability of a high level of dietary Arthrospira platensis, individually or in combination with two exogenous carbohydrate-degrading enzymes (lysozyme and Rovabio®), to improve systemic antioxidant potential and hepatic lipid metabolism was tested in piglets. Forty male post-weaned piglets, sons of Large White × Landrace sows crossed with Pietrain boars, were allocated into 4 groups (n = 10) and fed during 28 days one of the following diets: 1) a control basal diet (cereal and soybean meal); 2) a basal diet with 10% of A. platensis (AP); 3) the AP diet supplemented with 0.005% of Rovabio® (AP + R); 4) the AP diet supplemented with 0.01% of lysozyme (AP + L). Results Arthrospira platensis decreased BW gain of piglets, regardless the addition of feed enzymes. The majority of plasma metabolites were affected by diets. A. platensis increased total lipids, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, without changing hepatic fatty acid content or modulating, in an expressive manner, the transcriptional profile of lipid sensitive mediators. The antioxidant potential in general, and total carotenoids in particular, were improved by the microalga, regardless lysozyme or Rovabio®. Conclusions Summing up, A. platensis, individually and combined with feed enzymes, impacts negatively on piglets’ growth but improves the systemic antioxidant potential and changes plasma lipids with a minor modulation on related hepatic metabolic pathways.

Dietary Ulva lactuca and CAZyme supplementation improve serum biochemical profile and hepatic composition of weaned piglets

“…For Chlorella vulgaris , the most important finding was the hepatic deposition of n -3 PUFA, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and the subsequent beneficial reduction of n -6/ n -3 ratio 20 . In turn, dietary Arthrospira platensis increased systemic lipids, namely total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in weaned piglets, while boosting the antioxidant potential 19 . In view of these findings, we hypothesized that similar or additional beneficial effects could be obtained with the seaweed U. lactuca .…”

“…Our research team has previously reported the effects of dietary microalgae with or without CAZyme supplementation on blood metabolites and hepatic lipids of weaned piglets 18 , 19 and growing-finishing pigs 20 . For Chlorella vulgaris , the most important finding was the hepatic deposition of n -3 PUFA, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and the subsequent beneficial reduction of n -6/ n -3 ratio 20 .…”

Effect of Laminaria digitata dietary inclusion and CAZyme supplementation on blood cells, serum metabolites and hepatic lipids and minerals of weaned piglets

“…Serum biochemical profile analysis has been previously described by Madeira et al 15 . Triacylglycerols (TAG), total cholesterol, phospholipids, urea, total protein, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, glucose and creatinine concentrations and serum hepatic markers were determined in a Modular Hitachi Analytical System (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) using diagnostic kits (Roche Diagnostics, Meylan, France) following manufacturer’s instructions.…”

“…In turn, it also increased the accumulation of n-3 PUFA (including eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and reduced hepatic n-6/n-3 ratio 14 . On the other hand, dietary A. platensis increased serum total lipids, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol of weaned piglets, whilst improving antioxidant potential 15 . Even though L. digitata has a very different composition, analogous or additional effects can also be found.…”

“…Other studies have shown that dietary Laminaria japonica increases nitric oxide and has no effect on piglet serum urea concentrations 12 , 13 . Our research team has recently reported the effects of dietary microalgae ( Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis ) and CAZyme supplementation on serum and hepatic biochemical profiles of piglets 14 , 15 . The most important findings were an immunosuppressive effect caused by 5% C. vulgaris , by lowering the serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM).…”