Regulatory Efficacy of the Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids from Microalgae Spirulina platensis on Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet Rats.

Tian-Tian Li,Zi-Rui Huang,Yuan-Yuan Liu,Xu-Zhi Wan,Bin Liu,Chao Zhao

doi:10.3390/ijms19103075

Abstract

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photo-diode array detector and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry was employed to analyze the major fatty acids in Spirulina platensis 95% ethanol extract (SPL95). The effects of SPL95 on hepatoprotection were evaluated, including liver tissue histopathology, liver, and serum biochemical analysis. The active principle of SPL95 revealed a hypolipidemic effect, as indicated by down-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase, acetyl CoA carboxylase pathway, and upregulating adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase-α in liver. SPL95 enriched the beneficial bacteria, including Prevotella, Alloprevotella, Porphyromonadaceae, Barnesiella, and Paraprevotella. Treatment with SPL95 led to a decrease in microbes, such as Turicibacter, Romboutsia, Phascolarctobacterium, Olsenella, and Clostridium XVIII, which were positively correlated with serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but negatively correlated with the serum high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These results provide evidence that the fatty acid from SPL95 may be used as a novel adjuvant therapy and functional food to regulate gut microbiota in obese and diabetic individuals.

Highlights

Lipid metabolism disorder (LMD) is a risk factor for obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, fatty liver, cardiopathy, clinical syndrome, and another metabolic syndrome
The analysis of Spirulina platensis 95% ethanol extract (SPL95) resulted in the isolation of ten major components, eight of which were polyunsaturated fatty acids (Figure S1)
The weight loss effect of SPL95 treatment was found to be significant in high-fat fed rats, which may be associated with enhanced energy metabolism

Summary

Introduction

Lipid metabolism disorder (LMD) is a risk factor for obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, fatty liver, cardiopathy, clinical syndrome, and another metabolic syndrome. Despite significant advances in the development of frequently used lipid-lowering drugs, the side effects of these drugs are proportional to time. A microalga, has a special active ingredient formula [7]. It contains a lot of antioxidants, such as β-carotene, tocopherols, phycocyanin, microelements, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially γ-linolenic acid, and phenolic compounds. Among people with inflammatory diseases, insulin resistance, diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver, Spirulina is recommended as a dietary supplement, and has the effect of reducing drug toxicity [9]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion