Effects of Ecklonia arborea or Silvetia compressa algae intake on serum lipids and hepatic fat accumulation in Wistar rats fed hyperlipidic diets

Abstract

Seaweeds can generate changes in metabolism of lipids and consequently diminish cholesterol and other serum lipids in mammals. However, the consumption of marine algae may also alter function of other organs. Therefore, the aim of this research was to study the metabolism of lipids as well as the liver steatosis of Wistar male rats fed for two months with hyperlipidic diets composed of 20% of fat supplemented with 2.5% of seaweeds Ecklonia arborea or Silvetia compressa. Blood total cholesterol, lipoproteins, triglycerides and key hepatic enzymes were determined and liver histologies were also assessed. The two algae produced different results, while S. compressa reduced 18% total cholesterol, E. arborea increased it 5.8% compared to the animals fed the positive control. Rats fed the S. compressa supplemented diet comparatively had lower serum low density lipoproteins (54%) and triglycerides (69%) levels compared to counterparts fed the high-fat diet. Livers histologies of rats fed with the high-fat diets showed an evident lipid accumulation. However, the consumption of S. compressa diminished liver steatosis compared to E. arborea. Results herein indicate that S. compressa is a promising resource to decrease serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins and hepatic tissue damage. Further investigations should be made to find out if the ingestion of marine algae extracts would decrease the accumulation of hepatic fat and consequently affects positively liver physiology.