Spirulina platensis Improves Mitochondrial Function Impaired by Elevated Oxidative Stress in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (ASCs) and Intestinal Epithelial Cells (IECs), and Enhances Insulin Sensitivity in Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) Horses

Abstract

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a steadily growing life-threatening endocrine disorder linked to insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation. Inflammatory microenvironment of adipose tissue constitutes the direct tissue milieu for various cell populations, including adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs), widely considered as a potential therapeutic cell source in the course of the treatment of metabolic disorders. Moreover, elevated oxidative stress induces inflammation in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs)-the first-line cells exposed to dietary compounds. In the conducted research, we showed that in vitro application of Spirulina platensis contributes to the restoration of ASCs' and IECs' morphology and function through the reduction of cellular oxidative stress and inflammation. Enhanced viability, suppressed senescence, and improved proliferation of ASCs and IECs isolated from metabolic syndrome-affected individuals were evident following exposition to Spirulina. A protective effect of the investigated extract against mitochondrial dysfunction and degeneration was also observed. Moreover, our data demonstrate that Spirulina extract effectively suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages. In vivo studies showed that horses fed with a diet based on Spirulina platensis supplementation lost weight and their insulin sensitivity improved. Thus, our results indicate the engagement of Spirulina platensis nourishing as an interesting alternative approach for supporting the conventional treatment of equine metabolic syndrome.

Potential applications of cyanobacteria: Spirulina platensis filtrates and homogenates in agriculture

“…Osman et al (2016) showed that Spirulina suspension can also induce the biosynthesis of proteins and amino acids in roots and shoots, which can act as a protector from harmful effect of herbicides. In the work of Nawrocka et al (2017) it was also shown that Spirulina platensis contains also pigment—phycocyanin (266 ± 23 mg 100 g −1 d.m. ), polyphenols, determined with Folin–Ciocalteu reagent (176 ± 5 mg 100 g −1 expressed as equivalents of gallic acid), vitamins such as α-tocopherol (2.43 ± 0.21 mg 100 g −1 ), γ-tocopherol (1.07 ± 0.21 mg 100 g −1 ) and ascorbic acid (18.37 ± 0.97 mg 100 g −1 ).…”

“…Cyanobacteria are known to contain a wide variety of compounds, which include 40% of lipopeptides (with cytotoxic (41%), antitumor (13%), antiviral (4%), antibiotics activity (12%) and the remaining 18% activities include anti-malarial, antimycotics, multidrug resistance reversers, antifeedant, herbicides and immunosuppressive agents), 5.6% of amino acids, 4.2% of fatty acids, 4.2% of macrolides and 9% of amides (Singh et al 2008). Spirulina platensis used in the present study is rich in free and bound amino acids, including alanine, glycine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine, histidine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, serine, threonine, methionine, cysteine and proline (Nawrocka et al, 2017). Osman et al (2016) showed that Spirulina suspension can also induce the biosynthesis of proteins and amino acids in roots and shoots, which can act as a protector from harmful effect of herbicides.…”

“…Arthrospira platensis ( Spirulina platensis ) can be used as a rich source of macro- and micronutrients for plants—for example vitamins, amino acids, polypeptides, phytohormones (gibberellins, auxins, cytokinins), antioxidants and compounds with antibacterial and antifungal properties (Bhowmik et al 2010; Osman et al 2016; Nawrocka et al 2017). Despite their unique chemical composition, microalgae are not as often used for agricultural purposes as macroalgae (seaweeds).…”

In vitro assessment of the cytotoxic effects of secondary metabolites from Spirulina platensis on hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Several studies illustrated that Spirulina extracts can stimulate the immune system, improve glucose and lipid metabolism, and prevent or inhibit different types of cancer [12][13][14][15]. Spirulina has also been claimed to prevent chronic diffusion of liver disease [16].…”

Spirulina platensis, reduced liver and kidney injuries induced by Sodium arsenite

“…C-phycocyanin (C-PC) seems to play master roles in the hypolipidemic effect of spirulina since it has been found to inhibit jejunal cholesterol absorption 37 and lipase activity 38 .The hypolipidemic effect of Spirulina in our investigation could be referred to its essential polyunsaturated fatty acids as omega-6, omega-3 and linolenic acid and vitamin B3 39 . Moreover, dietary supplementation with C-PC or Spirulina platensis significantly inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine formation, such as TNF-α, IL-1b and suppresses cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression induced by the salicylate 40 .…”