Potential Therapeutic Role of Dietary Supplementation with Spirulina platensis on the Erectile Function of Obese Rats Fed a Hypercaloric Diet

Abstract

Spirulina platensis, an important source of bioactive compounds, is a multicellular, filamentous cyanobacterium rich in high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its nutrient composition, the alga is considered a complete food and is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiobesity, and reproprotective effects. All of which are important for prevention and treatment of organic and metabolic disorders such as obesity and erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulatory role of Spirulina platensis food supplementation and the mechanisms of action involved in reversing the damage caused by a hypercaloric diet on the erectile function of rats. The animals were divided into a standard diet group (SD, n=5); a hypercaloric diet group (HCD, n=5); a hypercaloric diet group supplemented with S. platensis at doses of 25 (HCD+SP25, n=5), 50 (HCD+SP50, n=5), and 100 mg/kg (HCD+SP100, n=5); and a hypercaloric diet group subsequently fed a standard diet (HCD+SD, n=5). In the rats fed a hypercaloric diet, dietary supplementation with S. platensis effectively increased the number of erections while decreasing latency to initiate penile erection. Additionally, S. platensis increases NO bioavailability, reduces inflammation by reducing the release of contractile prostanoids, enhances the relaxation effect promoted by acetylcholine (ACh), restores contractile reactivity damage and cavernous relaxation, reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increases cavernous total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Food supplementation with S. platensis thus restores erectile function in obese rats, reduces production of contractile prostanoids, reduces oxidative stress, and increases NO bioavailability. Food supplementation with S. platensis thus emerges as a promising new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction as induced by obesity.

Spirulina platensis Consumption Prevents Obesity and Improves the Deleterious Effects on Intestinal Reactivity in Rats Fed a Hypercaloric Diet

“…Once all these deleterious damages resulting from the consumption of the hypercaloric diet were verified, and as in previous studies, it was observed that the consumption of this diet is directly related to the increase in contractile reactivity and reduction in the relaxing response of various organs in rats [24,59,60]; it was decided to investigate the mechanism of action by which the ingestion of the hypercaloric diet promotes a reduction in the contractile reactivity of the ileum [48], effects that were prevented in rats fed the hypercaloric diet by supplemental feeding with S. platensis.…”

“…Previous studies carried out by our research group showed that food supplementation with the alga S. platensis was able to improve contractile reactivity in the aorta, avoiding oxidative stress [ 23 ] and restoring erectile function in obese rats [ 24 ], as well as is related to increased contractile reactivity in the ileum of rats fed a hypercaloric diet [ 25 ] by promoting increased bioavailability of nitric oxide.…”

“…In recent years, our research group has studied the various effects of food supplementation with S. platensis , showing that the algae were able to decrease lipid peroxidation and inhibit oxidation in the aorta [ 23 ], cavernous body [ 24 ], and ileum [ 25 ] of rats, as well as the concentration of reactive oxygen species and the inflammation induced by the exercise of force [ 26 ]. In addition to reducing adipose reserves and restoring intestinal contractile reactivity in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks [ 27 ].…”

“…Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity was able to improve contractile reactivity in the aorta, avoiding oxidative stress [23] and restoring erectile function in obese rats [24], as well as is related to increased contractile reactivity in the ileum of rats fed a hypercaloric diet [25] by promoting increased bioavailability of nitric oxide. Additionally, excessive consumption of fats and calories is associated with metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders.…”

Oxaliplatin, an Anticancer Agent, Causes Erectile Dysfunction in Rats due to Endothelial Dysfunction

“…25−28 Decrease in NOS is also thought to elicit oxidative stress and inflammation. 29,30 In this study, the blood pressure did not change in the L-OHP group. As per the results of the study, L-OHP might have reduced NOS activation in the corpus cavernosum, but the blood pressure may have been maintained by some alternative…”