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

Alexandre Sérgio Silva,Anderson Fellyp Avelino Diniz,Maria Da Conceição Correia Silva,Francisco Fernandes Lacerda Júnior,Fabiana De Andrade Cavalcante,Bárbara Cavalcanti Barros,Lydiane De Lima Tavares Toscano,Maria Thaynan De Lima Carvalho,Paula Benvindo Ferreira,Elba Dos Santos Ferreira,Iara Leão Luna De Souza,Bagnólia Araújo Da Silva

doi:10.1155/2020/3293065

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.

Highlights

The close relationship between diet and health has been evidenced in many studies where the presence of bioactive molecules is described as influencing various metabolic pathways and systems within the organism
When rats consumed the hypercaloric diet and were supplemented with S. platensis at doses of 25 (1:7 ± 0:3) and 100 mg/kg (1:2 ± 0:2), no difference was observed as compared to the HCD group
HCD+SP50 (1:8 ± 0:5) and HCD+standard diet (SD) (1:8 ± 0:2) groups presented an increase in the number of penile erections as compared to the hypercaloric diet group (0:3 ± 0:2) (Figure 2(a))

Summary

Introduction

The close relationship between diet and health has been evidenced in many studies where the presence of bioactive molecules is described as influencing various metabolic pathways and systems within the organism. Abnormal eating habits represent a critical concern, promoting health disorders including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and sexual dysfunction [1, 2]. Researchers have demonstrated a growing interest in natural sources of bioactive compounds such as fruits, vegetables, fish, herbs, and seaweeds as effective health promoters that can play an important and promising role in the prevention and treatment of disease [2,3,4]. Its biological and pharmacological activities are already described [6,7,8]

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