The effects of supplementation of Nannochloropsis oculata microalgae on biochemical, inflammatory and antioxidant responses in diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes is accompanied by inflammation and oxidation. Supplementation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds can prevent the progression of diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementation of Nannochloropsis oculata microalgae (NOM) on the inflammatory and antioxidant responses in diabetic rats. Sixty male rats were divided into six groups as diabetic and non-diabetic rats receiving 0, 10 and 20 mg/kg of body weight of NOM daily for 21 days. Body weight, the serum concentrations of insulin and glucose and the tissue concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assessed. The results showed that induction of diabetes significantly reduced the body weight, the serum concentrations of insulin and the tissue concentrations of SOD, FRAP and GPx while increasing the concentrations of glucose, MDA, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB and TNF-α. Daily oral administration of NOM (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly maintained the body weight, the serum concentrations of insulin and the tissue concentrations of SOD, FRAP and GPx while preventing the increase in the concentrations of glucose, MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α. In conclusion, diabetes caused inflammation and oxidation while NOM worked as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound.

Update of the list of qualified presumption of safety (QPS) recommended microbiological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 18: Suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until March 2023

“…N. oculata has been used as a supplement to the diet of laying hens in order to increase the level of omega‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk (Lemahieu et al., 2013 ) and in feed for Nile Tilapia (Abdelghany et al., 2020 ; Salem et al., 2022 ). N. oculata microalgae as a supplement in the diet of diabetic rats (20 mg/kg body weight, 21 days) is described as a natural anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant compound (Fereidouni et al., 2022 ). Intestinal tissue sections from healthy rats, fed with freeze‐dried N. oculata (50 mg/day, 6 weeks) indicated the presence of intestinal atrophy in four out of five rats, two of which had transmural necrosis.…”

Therapeutic Potentials of Microalgae and Their Bioactive Compounds on Diabetes Mellitus

“…Another study with a similar study design and doses of N. oculata powder has proven its antihyperglycemic effect by regulating antioxidant enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels [ 153 ]. First, the supplementation increased BW in a dose-dependent manner.…”