Effects of Spirulina on the functions and redox status of auditory system in senescence-accelerated prone-8 mice

Abstract

To our knowledge, the effects of Spirulina platensis water extract (SP) on hearing function have not yet been reported. This study investigated the effects of SP on the function and redox status of the auditory system. Auditory brainstem responses and redox status were compared between two groups of 3-month-old senescence-accelerated prone-8 (SAMP8) mice: the control group was fed a normal diet, and the experimental group was fed a normal diet with oral supplementation of SP for 6 weeks. Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly lower hearing thresholds according to auditory brainstem responses measured using click sounds and 8-kHz tone burst sound stimulation at the end of this study. The experimental group had a shorter I-III interval of auditory brainstem responses with 16-kHz tone burst stimulation than the control group that was of borderline significance. Additionally, the experimental group had significantly higher mRNA expression of the superoxide dismutase and catalase genes in the cochlea and brainstem and significantly higher mRNA expression of the glutathione peroxidase gene in the cochlea. Further, the experimental group had significantly lower malondialdehyde levels in the cochlea and brainstem than the control group. However, tumor necrosis factor–α mRNA expression was not significantly different between the control and experimental groups. SP could decrease hearing degeneration in senescence-accelerated prone-8 mice possibly by increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase gene expression and decreasing damage from oxidative stress in the cochlea and brainstem.

Risks of tinnitus, sensorineural hearing impairment, and sudden deafness in patients with non-migraine headache

“…Poor sleep, hypoxia, neural inflammation, and oxidative stress damage are important factors in the pathogenesis of primary headache [17,18], tinnitus [23–26], sensorineural hearing impairment [27–30], and sudden deafness [31]. In addition, increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system in the limbic and autonomous brain regions [32] and central sensitization and/or cortical hyperexcitability have been observed in patients with chronic headache and tinnitus [33,34].…”

Spirulina Microalgae and Brain Health: A Scoping Review of Experimental and Clinical Evidence

“…The effect was associated with the increased phosphorylation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and p-cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) as well as the increase in BDNF [ 53 ]. Neuroprotective activity by spirulina in neurodegeneration has also been shown in other in vivo models and has been suggested to be mediated by an antioxidant activity associated with the increase of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase [ 54 ]. Models of neurotoxicity have also been used to demonstrate spirulina neuroprotection.…”

Spirulina Prevent Caspase-Independent Apoptosis in the Cochlea and Brainstem of Senescence-Accelerated Prone-8 Mice

“…SP could decrease salicylate-induced tinnitus by reducing oxidative stress damages and neuroin ammation in many brain regions of mice [32,33]. Our previous study also demonstrated that SP could prevent ARHI by increasing expressions of antioxidant genes and decreasing malondialdehyde levels in the cochlea and brainstem of SAMP8 mice [26].…”

“…Spirulina platensis, one type of blue-green algae, had anti-in ammatory and antioxidative effects via inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzymes [24,25]. Our previous study had showed that spirulina platensis water extract (SP) could decrease hearing degeneration via modulating expressions of endogenous antioxidant genes and reducing oxidative stress damages in the cochlea and brainstem of senescence-accelerated prone-8 (SAMP8) mice [26]. However, the effects of SP on the caspase-independent apoptosis in the auditory system was still unknown.…”