1
|
Sokary S, Bawadi H, Zakaria ZZ, Al-Asmakh M. The Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Narrative Review. J Diet Suppl 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38251049 DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2023.2301366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a cyanobacterium associated with multiple health benefits. Cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes are prevalent yet usually preventable non-communicable diseases. Modifiable risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases include excessive body weight, body inflammation, atherogenic lipid profile, and imbalanced glucose metabolism. This review explores the effects of spirulina on cardiometabolic diseases risk factors. Spirulina was effective in reducing body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference, with a potential dose-dependent effect. It also decreased interleukin 6, an important biomarker of body inflammation, by inhibiting NADPH oxidase enzyme, and lowering insulin resistance. spirulina supplementation also reduced triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Additionally, spirulina reduced fasting blood sugar and post-prandial blood sugar and increased insulin sensitivity, but no effect was observed on glycated hemoglobin A1c. The diverse nutrients, such as phycocyanin, gamma-linolenic acid, and vitamin B12, present in spirulina contribute to its cardiometabolic benefits. The doses used are heterogeneous for most studies, ranging from 1 to 8 grams daily, but most studies administered spirulina for 3 months to observe an effect. The collective evidence suggests that spirulina supplements may help improve risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases, thus, preventing its development. However, due to the heterogeneity of the results, more randomized clinical trials are needed to draw robust conclusions about spirulina's therapeutic potential in ameliorating risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases and fully elucidate the mechanisms by which it exerts its effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sokary
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hiba Bawadi
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zain Zaki Zakaria
- Vice President for Medical and Health Sciences Office, Health Cluster, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maha Al-Asmakh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alesci A, Fumia A, Miller A, Calabrò C, Santini A, Cicero N, Lo Cascio P. Spirulina promotes macrophages aggregation in zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver. Nat Prod Res 2023; 37:743-749. [PMID: 35707902 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2089883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The immune system of teleosts offers many ideas to deepen the immune mechanisms and cells in general. The use of zebrafish as an experimental model is increased in recent years, thanks to its genetic and anatomical characteristics. It is known that several natural compounds exert an action on the immune system, boosting it. Spirulina, a non-toxic blue-green alga, has been declared a superfood for its peculiar biological activities. In this study, we test the immunostimulant effect of spirulina on zebrafish liver macrophages by immunohistochemical analysis using optical and confocal microscopy. Our results have shown an increase in the number of macrophages after feeding with spirulina, furthermore, this natural 'superfood' can induce macrophages aggregation. These data not only provide information on the possible effect of this alga as a complementary feed on the immune cells of teleost, but also improve the knowledge of the immune mechanisms of vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Angelo Fumia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Padiglione C, A. O. U. Policlinico "G. Martino", Messina, Italy
| | - Anthea Miller
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Concetta Calabrò
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonello Santini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Science and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Patrizia Lo Cascio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Naeini F, Zarezadeh M, Mohiti S, Tutunchi H, Ebrahimi Mamaghani M, Ostadrahimi A. Spirulina supplementation as an adjuvant therapy in enhancement of antioxidant capacity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e14618. [PMID: 34235823 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, is used as an adjuvant treatment of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Evidence about the effects of spirulina on antioxidant system are conflicting. Thus, this quantitative review aimed to summarise the effects of spirulina administration on antioxidant status biomarkers. METHODS Systematic searches were conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and EMBASE, up to May 2021. Random effect analysis was applied to perform meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses and multivariate meta-regression were performed to find heterogeneity sources. Quality assessment was conducted using Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Trim and fill analysis were also carried out in case of the presence of publication bias. RESULTS A total of nine articles that enrolled 415 subjects were included in the present meta-analysis. Obtained findings exhibited that spirulina supplementation had marginal significant effect on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI: -0.001, 0.98; P = .05) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (SMD = 0.72; 95% CI: -0.03, 1.46; P = .06), while did not affect glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (SMD=0.27; 95% CI: -0.23, 0.77; P = .29). CONCLUSIONS Spirulina consumption may exert beneficial effects on enhancement of antioxidant system. A marginal significant increasing effect on TAC and SOD activity were found by spirulina administration. However, it did not affect GPx activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Naeini
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meysam Zarezadeh
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sara Mohiti
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Diet Therapy, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Helda Tutunchi
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehrangiz Ebrahimi Mamaghani
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Diet Therapy, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Alireza Ostadrahimi
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zarezadeh M, Faghfouri AH, Radkhah N, Foroumandi E, Khorshidi M, Rasouli A, Zarei M, Mohammadzadeh Honarvar N, Hazhir Karzar N, Ebrahimi Mamaghani M. Spirulina supplementation and anthropometric indices: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled clinical trials. Phytother Res 2020; 35:577-586. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Zarezadeh
- Student Research Committee Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Clinical Nutrition School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Faghfouri
- Department of Community Nutrition, Student Research Committee School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| | - Nima Radkhah
- Department of Community Nutrition, Student Research Committee School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| | - Elaheh Foroumandi
- Department of Community Nutrition, Student Research Committee School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| | - Masoud Khorshidi
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
- Student Research Committee, Department of Nutrition School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Ahmadreza Rasouli
- Department of Nutrition School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences Qazvin Iran
- Student Research Committee School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences Qazvin Iran
| | - Mahtab Zarei
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Niyaz Mohammadzadeh Honarvar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Nazanin Hazhir Karzar
- Neuroendocrine Unit Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Mehrangiz Ebrahimi Mamaghani
- Nutrition Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Diet Therapy School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tabriz Iran
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lafarga T, Fernández-Sevilla JM, González-López C, Acién-Fernández FG. Spirulina for the food and functional food industries. Food Res Int 2020; 137:109356. [PMID: 33233059 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans are no strangers to the consumption of microalgae as already in the sixteenth century Spirulina was harvested from Lake Texcoco and consumed in markets in Tenochtitlan (today Mexico City). Nowadays, microalgae are being incorporated into many food formulations. Most of these use microalgae as a marketing strategy or as a colouring agent. However, Spirulina (and compounds derived thereof) show potential for being used as ingredients in the development of novel functional foods, which are one of the top trends in the food industry. Several human intervention studies demonstrated the potential of Spirulina for being used in the prevention or treatment of disorders related to metabolic syndrome. The aim of the current paper was to review current and potential applications of this microalga in the food and functional food industries. Health benefits associated with consuming Spirulina and/or some of the most important compounds derived from Spirulina were also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Lafarga
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|