Abstract
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 series and especially docosahexaenoic acid are known to exert preventive effects on metabolic disturbances associated with obesity and decrease cardiovascular disease risk. n-3 LC-PUFAs are mainly consumed in the form of fish oil, while other sources, such as certain microalgae, may contain a high content of these fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Tisochrysis lutea (Tiso), a microalga rich in DHA, on metabolic disorders associated with obesity. Three male Wistar rat groups were submitted for eight weeks to a standard diet or high-fat and high fructose diet (HF), supplemented or not with 12% of T. lutea (HF-Tiso). The supplementation did not affect plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). Bodyweight, glycemia and insulinemia decreased in HF-Tiso rats (ANOVA, p < 0.001), while total plasma cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) increased (ANOVA, p < 0.001) without change of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. Tiso supplementation decreased fat mass and leptinemia as well as liver TAG, cholesterol and plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels (ANOVA, p < 0.001) while it did not affect interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-4 and lipopolysaccharides levels. HF-Tiso rats showed an increase of IL-10 level in abdominal adipose tissue (ANOVA, p < 0.001). In conclusion, these results indicated that DHA-rich T. lutea might be beneficial for the prevention of obesity and improvement of lipid and glucose metabolism.
Highlights
The ratio of water intake/body weight was markedly higher in the high fructose diet (HF)-Tisochrysis lutea (Tiso) group than other groups (Figure 1b, ANOVA, p < 0.001) except for the period between the third and fifth weeks, where no difference was observed between HF and HF-Tiso groups (Figure 1b)
In accordance with the literature [24,26,27,28], our study highlighted that rats submitted to HF diet associated with fructose supplementation in drinking water (10%) presented increased body weight, fat mass and liver weight associated with high plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), a low aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT)/ALAT ratio and the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Our results showed that T. lutea has an effective potential to reduce hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia by restoring HDL level, hyperleptinemia and an excess of liver lipid levels, body weight and fat mass
Summary
The evolution of our society’s lifestyle, characterized by an increase in energy intake and a decrease in physical activity, is the main cause of the dramatic increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. The number of overweight and obese people tripled in 40 years, reaching more than 1.9 billion adults in 2016 [1]. Abdominal obesity is often associated with metabolic syndrome, a pathophysiological state defined by at least three of the following criteria: abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and a decrease of plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels [2]. Inflammation, insulin resistance and an increase of plasma small, dense low-density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) levels are often associated with metabolic syndrome and obesity [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
