Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) and C-phycocyanin prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease and its cardiovascular complications

Network pharmacology combined with molecular docking and dynamics to assess the synergism of esculetin and phloretin against acute kidney injury-diabetes comorbidity

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a global health concern with high incidence and mortality, where diabetes further worsens the condition. The available treatment options are not uniformly effective against the complex pathogenesis of AKI-diabetes comorbidity. Hence, combination therapies based on the multicomponent, multitarget approach can tackle more than one pathomechanism and can aid in AKI-diabetes comorbidity management. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of esculetin and phloretin combination against AKI-diabetes comorbidity by network pharmacology followed by validation by molecular docking and dynamics. The curative targets for diabetes, AKI, esculetin, and phloretin were obtained from DisGeNET, GeneCards, SwissTargetPrediction database. Further, the protein-protein interaction of the potential targets of esculetin and phloretin against AKI-diabetes comorbidity was investigated using the STRING database. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were performed with the help of the DAVID and KEGG databases, followed by network construction and analysis via Cytoscape. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations were performed to validate the targets of esculetin and phloretin against AKI-diabetes comorbidity. We obtained 6341 targets for AKI-diabetes comorbidity. Further, a total of 54 and 44 targets of esculetin and phloretin against AKI-diabetes comorbidity were retrieved. The top 10 targets for esculetin selected based on the degree value were AKR1B1, DAO, ESR1, PLK1, CA3, CA2, CCNE1, PRKN, HDAC2, and MAOA. Similarly, phloretin's 10 key targets were ACHE, CDK1, MAPK14, APP, CDK5R1, CCNE1, MAOA, MAOB, HDAC6, and PRKN. These targets were enriched in 58 pathways involved in the pathophysiology of AKI-diabetes comorbidity. Further, esculetin and phloretin showed an excellent binding affinity for these critical targets. The findings of this study suggest that esculetin and phloretin combination as a multicomponent multitarget therapy has the potential to prevent AKI-diabetes comorbidity.

The antihypertensive action of C-phycocyanin is related to the prevention of angiotensin II-caused vascular dysfunction in chronic kidney disease

C-phycocyanin (CPC) is a photosynthetic protein found in Arthrospira maxima with a nephroprotective and antihypertensive activity that can prevent the development of hemodynamic alterations caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the complete nutraceutical activities are still unknown. This study aims to determine if the antihypertensive effect of CPC is associated with preventing the impairment of hemodynamic variables through delaying vascular dysfunction. Twenty-four normotensive male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) sham + 4 mL/kg/d vehicle (100 mM of phosphate buffer, PBS) administered by oral gavage (og), (2) sham + 100 mg/kg/d og of CPC, (3) CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (CKD) + vehicle, (4) CKD + CPC. One week after surgery, the CPC treatment began and was administrated daily for four weeks. At the end treatment, animals were euthanized, and their thoracic aorta was used to determine the vascular function and expression of AT1, AT2, and Mas receptors. CKD-induced systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and vascular dysfunction by reducing the vasorelaxant response of angiotensin 1-7 and increasing the contractile response to angiotensin II. Also, CKD increased the expression of the AT1 and AT2 receptors and reduced the Mas receptor expression. Remarkably, the treatment with CPC prevented SAH, renal function impairment, and vascular dysfunction in the angiotensin system. In conclusion, the antihypertensive activity of CPC is associated with avoiding changes in the expression of AT1, AT2, and Mas receptors, preventing vascular dysfunction development and SAH in rats with CKD.

Hepatoprotective Effect Assessment of C-Phycocyanin on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Rat Model by Using Photoacoustic Spectroscopy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary neoplasia of the liver with elevated mortality. Experimental treatment with antioxidants has a beneficial effect on the experimental models of HCC. Arthrospira maxima (spirulina) and its phycocyanin have antitumoral action on different tumoral cells. However, it is unknown whether phycocyanin is the responsible molecule for the antitumoral effect on HCC. Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) stands out among other spectroscopy techniques for its versatility of samples analyzed. This technique makes it possible to obtain the optical absorption spectrum of solid or liquid, dark or transparent samples. Previous studies report that assessing liver damage in rats produced by the modified resistant hepatocyte model (MRHM) is possible by analyzing their blood optical absorption spectrum. This study aimed to investigate, by PAS, the effect of phycocyanin obtained from spirulina on hepatic dysfunction. The optical absorption spectra analysis of the rat blood indicates the damage level induced by the MRHM group, being in concordance with the carried out biological conventional studies results, indicating an increase in the activity of hepatic enzymes, oxidative stress, Bax/Bcl2 ratio, cdk2, and AKT2 expression results, with a reduction in p53 expression. Also, PAS results suggest that phycocyanin decreases induced damage, due to the prevention of the Bax, AKT2, and p53 altered expression and the tumor progression in a HCC rat model.

C-Phycocyanin: A Phycobiliprotein from Spirulina with Metabolic Syndrome and Oxidative Stress Effects

Spirulina maxima is a cyanobacterium considered a "superfood" due to its metabolites and nutrient content. These include a complex mixture of minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, proteins, and accessory pigments. In recent years, it has positioned itself as a promising source of bioactive molecules for the treatment of several diseases, including metabolic syndrome, coronary diseases, cancer, and the improvement of health modulating oxidative stress. C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a photosynthetic pigment from green-blue cyanobacterium and the most abundant phycobiliprotein in the Spirulina genus with various pharmacological properties attributed due to its antioxidant capacity but has no specific cellular target. This has made it a molecule of great interest in biomedical research. This review focuses on the pharmacological effects and the benefits on metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress of C-PC.

Controlled Release of Phycocyanin in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions Using Alginate-Agavins-Polysaccharide Beads

C-phycocyanin (CPC) is an antioxidant protein that, when purified, is photosensitive and can be affected by environmental and gastrointestinal conditions. This can impact its biological activity, requiring an increase in the effective amount to achieve a therapeutic effect. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a microencapsulate of a complex matrix, as a strategy to protect and establish a matrix for the controlled release of CPC based on polysaccharides such as agavins (AGV) using ionic gelation. Four matrices were formulated: M1 (alginate: ALG), M2 (ALG and AGV), M3 (ALG, AGV, and κ-carrageenan: CGN), and M4 (ALG, AGV, CGN, and carboxymethylcellulose: CMC) with increasing concentrations of CPC. The retention and diffusion capacities of C-phycocyanin provided by each matrix were evaluated, as well as their stability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The results showed that the encapsulation efficiency of the matrix-type encapsulates with complex composites increased as more components were added to the mixtures. CMC increased the retention due to the hydrophobicity that it provides by being in the polysaccharide matrix; CGN enabled the controlled diffusive release; and AGV provided protection of the CPC beads under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, matrix M4 exhibited an encapsulation efficiency for CPC of 98% and a bioaccessibility of 10.65 ± 0.65% after the passage of encapsulates through in vitro digestion.

Nutraceuticals and network pharmacology approach for acute kidney injury: A review from the drug discovery aspect

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has become a global health issue, with ~12 million reports yearly, resulting in a persistent increase in morbidity and mortality rates. AKI pathophysiology is multifactorial involving oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic modifications, inflammation, and eventually, cell death. Hence, therapies able to target multiple pathomechanisms can aid in AKI management. To change the drug discovery framework from "one drug, one target" to "multicomponent, multitarget," network pharmacology is evolving as a next-generation research approach. Researchers have used the network pharmacology approach to predict the role of nutraceuticals against different ailments including AKI. Nutraceuticals (herbal products, isolated nutrients, and dietary supplements) belong to the pioneering category of natural products and have shown protective action against AKI. Nutraceuticals have recently drawn attention because of their ability to provide physiological benefits with less toxic effects. This review emphasizes the nutraceuticals that exhibited renoprotection against AKI and can be used either as monotherapy or adjuvant with conventional therapies to boost their effectiveness and lessen the adverse effects. Additionally, the study sheds light on the application of network pharmacology as a cost-effective and time-saving approach for the therapeutic target prediction of nutraceuticals against AKI.

C-Phycocyanin prevents acute myocardial infarction-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiac damage

CONTEXT

C-Phycocyanin is a protein with anti-scavenger, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions against agents that cause cellular damage. The cardioprotective action of C-phycocyanin against acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been studied in animal models.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate C-phycocyanin's effect on oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiac damage in a model of isoproterenol-induced AMI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) sham + vehicle (0.9% saline solution by oral gavage, OG); (2) sham + C-phycocyanin (50 mg/kg/d, OG); (3) AMI + vehicle, and (4) AMI + C-phycocyanin. AMI was induced by administering isoproterenol (20, 10, 5 and 3 mg/kg each dose per day), and serum cardiac enzymes were quantified. After five days, the animals were euthanized; the heart was dissected to determine oxidative stress, redox environment, inflammation and cardiac damage markers.

RESULTS

We observed that C-phycocyanin reduced AMI-increased cardiac enzymes (CK by about 53%, CKMB by about 60%, AST by about 16% and ALT by about 21%), lipid peroxidation (57%), reactive oxygen species (50%), nitrites (46%), oxidized glutathione (41%), IL1β (3%), INFγ (5%), TNFα 3%), Bcl2 (37%), Bax (43%), COX2 (21%) and caspase 9 (61%). Finally, C-phycocyanin reduced AMI-induced aberrant histological changes related to myonecrosis, interstitial oedema and inflammatory infiltration in the heart muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

C-Phycocyanin prevents AMI-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and heart damage. This study is the first report that employed C-phycocyanin in an animal model of AMI and supports the potential use of C-phycocyanin in the management of AMI.

Ameliorating Effect on Glycolipid Metabolism of Spirulina Functional Formulation Combination from Traditional Chinese Medicine

Insulin resistance is the major factor involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Although the oral drug metformin (MH) is widely used to reduce hyperglycemia, it is associated with adverse effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to search for safe and natural foods that do not cause adverse effects as alternatives to commercial drugs. In this study, the active substances from Spirulina platensis, Grifola frondosa, Panax ginseng, and chromium-rich yeast were used to obtain Spirulina functional formulations (SFFs), and its therapeutic effects on mice with glycolipid metabolism disorder (GLD) were investigated. Results showed that SFFs not only improved glycolipid metabolism and reduced inflammation in mice with GLD but also showed good regenerative effects on the liver, jejunum, and cecum tissues. Moreover, SFFs could inhibit the growth of harmful microbes in the intestine and promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, thereby promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids and further regulating GLD. Additionally, SFFs significantly increased the expression of INS, INSR, IRS-1, PI3K, AKT-1, and GLUT-4 genes and significantly decreased that of GSK-3β in the INS/PI3K/GLUT-4 signaling pathway. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that SFFs can be further developed as a new class of therapeutic agents against GLD.

Wide Range Applications of Spirulina: From Earth to Space Missions

Spirulina is the most studied cyanobacterium species for both pharmacological applications and the food industry. The aim of the present review is to summarize the potential benefits of the use of Spirulina for improving healthcare both in space and on Earth. Regarding the first field of application, Spirulina could represent a new technology for the sustainment of long-duration manned missions to planets beyond the Lower Earth Orbit (e.g., Mars); furthermore, it could help astronauts stay healthy while exposed to a variety of stress factors that can have negative consequences even after years. As far as the second field of application, Spirulina could have an active role in various aspects of medicine, such as metabolism, oncology, ophthalmology, central and peripheral nervous systems, and nephrology. The recent findings of the capacity of Spirulina to improve stem cells mobility and to increase immune response have opened new intriguing scenarios in oncological and infectious diseases, respectively.

The Nutraceutical Antihypertensive Action of C-Phycocyanin in Chronic Kidney Disease Is Related to the Prevention of Endothelial Dysfunction

C-phycocyanin (CPC) is an antihypertensive that is not still wholly pharmacologically described. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether CPC counteracts endothelial dysfunction as an antihypertensive mechanism in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy (NFx) as a chronic kidney disease (CKD) model. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sham control, sham-treated with CPC (100 mg/Kg/d), NFx, and NFx treated with CPC. Blood pressure was measured each week, and renal function evaluated at the end of the treatment. Afterward, animals were euthanized, and their thoracic aortas were analyzed for endothelium functional test, oxidative stress, and NO production. 5/6 Nephrectomy caused hypertension increasing lipid peroxidation and ROS production, overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), reduction in the first-line antioxidant enzymes activities, and reduced-glutathione (GSH) with a down-expression of eNOS. The vasomotor response reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in aorta segments exposed to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. However, the treatment with CPC prevented hypertension by reducing oxidative stress, NO system disturbance, and endothelial dysfunction. The CPC treatment did not prevent CKD-caused disturbance in the antioxidant enzymes activities. Therefore, CPC exhibited an antihypertensive activity while avoiding endothelial dysfunction.

C-phycoerythrin from Phormidium persicinum Prevents Acute Kidney Injury by Attenuating Oxidative and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

C-phycoerythrin (C-PE) is a phycobiliprotein that prevents oxidative stress and cell damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether C-PE also counteracts endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as a mechanism contributing to its nephroprotective activity. After C-PE was purified from Phormidium persicinum by using size exclusion chromatography, it was characterized by spectrometry and fluorometry. A mouse model of HgCl₂-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) was used to assess the effect of C-PE treatment (at 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg of body weight) on oxidative stress, the redox environment, and renal damage. ER stress was examined with the same model and C-PE treatment at 100 mg/kg. C-PE diminished oxidative stress and cell damage in a dose-dependent manner by impeding the decrease in expression of nephrin and podocin normally caused by mercury intoxication. It reduced ER stress by preventing the activation of the inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (IRE1α) pathway and avoiding caspase-mediated cell death, while leaving the expression of protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α) pathways unmodified. Hence, C-PE exhibited a nephroprotective effect on HgCl₂-induced AKI by reducing oxidative stress and ER stress.

Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) prevents endoplasmic reticulum stress in the kidney through its C-phycocyanin

Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) is a cyanobacterium which is considered a nutraceutical because it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties in different renal disease models (Rodriguez-Sánchez et al., 2012; Aziz et al., 2018; Memije-Lazaro et al., 2018). The therapeutic effects are due to the presence of metabolites with biological effects similar to those of essential fatty acids ω-3 and ω-6, vitamins A, C and E, and accessory pigments such as phycobiliproteins. One of the most abundant phycobiliproteins in A. maxima is C-phycocyanin (Mysliwa-Kurdziel and Solymosi, 2017). This molecule is responsible for nephroprotective action in a model of acute kidney injury (AKI) because it reduces oxidative stress and caspase activation (Rodriguez-Sánchez et al., 2012; Rojas-Franco et al., 2018). However, both A. maxima and its C-phycocyanin are related to the reduction of the redox environment. Thus, they probably help to maintain the adequate function of the intracellular organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum. However, this therapeutic action has not been evaluated previously.

Phycocyanobilin is the molecule responsible for the nephroprotective action of phycocyanin in acute kidney injury caused by mercury

C-Phycocyanin (CPC) exerts therapeutic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions. It prevents oxidative stress and acute kidney damage caused by HgCl₂. However, the exact mechanism of the pharmacological action of C-phycocyanin is as yet unclear. Some proposals express that CPC metabolism releases the active compound phycocyanobilin (PCB) that is able to induce CPC's therapeutical effects as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective. This study is aimed to demonstrate that PCB is the molecule responsible for C-phycocyanin's nephroprotective action in the acute kidney injury model caused by HgCl₂. PCB was purified from C-phycocyanin and characterized by spectroscopy and mass spectrometry methods. Thirty-six male mice were administrated with 0.75, 1.5, or 3 mg per kg per d of PCB 30 min before the 5 mg kg^-1 HgCl₂ administration. PCB was administered during the following five days, after which the mice were euthanized. Kidneys were dissected to determine oxidative stress and redox environment markers, first-line antioxidant enzymes, effector caspase activities, and kidney damage markers.The quality of purified PCB was evaluated by spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. All PCB doses prevented alterations in oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, and caspase 9 activities. However, only the dose of 3 mg per kg per d PCB avoided the redox environment disturbance produced by mercury. All doses of PCB partially prevented the down-expression of nephrin and podocin with a consequent reduction in the damage score in a dose-effect manner. In conclusion, it was proven that phycocyanobilin is the molecule responsible for C-phycocyanin's nephroprotective action on acute kidney injury caused by mercury.

The effect of spirulina on type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of spirulina on lipid profiles and glycemic related markers in type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to August 2020. All clinical trials which investigated the effect of spirulina supplementation on glycemic related markers and lipid profile among type 2 diabetes patients were included. Random effects modeling was utilized for pooling analysis to compensate for the between-study heterogeneity.

Results

Eight studies (9 arms) were included in the meta-analysis. We found a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (-17.88 mg/dl; 95% CI: -26.99, -8.78; I ² : 25%), triglyceride (-30.99 mg/dl; 95% CI: -45.20, -16.77; I ² : 50%), total-cholesterol (-18.47 mg/dl; 95% CI: -33.54, -3.39; I ² : 73%), LDL-C (-20.04 mg/dl; 95% CI: -34.06, -6.02; I ² : 75%), VLDL (-6.96 mg/dl; 95% CI: -9.71, -4.22; I ² : 33%), in addition to a significant increase in HDL-C (-6.96 mg/dl; 95% CI: -9.71, -4.22; I ² : 33%), after spirulina administration. No significant effect was observed on HbA1C or post prandial blood sugar following spirulina consumption.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that spirulina supplementation can elicit beneficial effects on fasting blood glucose and blood lipid profiles.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-021-00760-z.

Microalgae as source of functional ingredients in new-generation foods: challenges, technological effects, biological activity, and regulatory issues

Microalgae feasibility as food ingredients or source of nutrients and/or bioactive compounds and their health effects have been widely studied. This review aims to provide an overview of the use of microalgae biomass in food products, the technological effects of its incorporation, and their use as a source of health-promoting bioactive compounds. In addition, it presents the regulatory aspects of commercialization and consumption, and the main trends and market challenges Microalgae have stood out as sources of nutritional compounds (polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber) and biologically active compounds (asthaxanthin, β-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids). The consumption of microalgae biomass proved to have several health effects, such as hypoglycemic activity, gastroprotective and anti-steatotic properties, improvements in neurobehavioral and cognitive dysfunction, and hypolipidemic properties. Its addition to food products can improve the nutritional value, aroma profile, and technological properties, with important alterations on the syneresis of yogurts, meltability in cheeses, overrun values and melting point in ice creams, physical properties and mechanical characteristics in crisps, and texture, cooking and color characteristics in pastas. However, more studies are needed to prove the health effects in humans, expand the market size, reduce the cost of production, and tighter constraints related to regulations.

Spirulina for the food and functional food industries

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.

Systematic Physical Exercise and Spirulina maxima Supplementation Improve Body Composition, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Blood Lipid Profile: Correlations of a Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Cardiovascular diseases are part of the highly preventable chronic diseases associated with changes in lifestyle. Within them, physical activity, low-fat and high-fiber diets are distinguished as the main support for prevention, even when supplementation with nutraceuticals has become a very common practice. Fifty-two young sedentary men with excess body weight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg·m-2) were enrolled in a randomized-crossover controlled trial [six weeks of a systematic physical exercise with Spirulina maxima or placebo supplementation (4.5 g·day-1)]. Body composition, blood lipid profile, and maximal oxygen uptake were determined pre/post intervention. Pairwise comparisons showed a significant improvement (p < 0.01) on blood lipid profile in the group of exercise plus Spirulina maxima. Moreover, correlations of absolute changes of BMI, body fat percentage, blood lipids and maximal oxygen uptake were statistically significant (p < 0.01). These results indicate that the Spirulina maxima supplementation could be acting in a synergistic way with exercise due to the enhanced effects on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and blood lipid profile. This phenomenon should be considered to reduce risk of cardiovascular disorders. Trial registration: Clinical Trials, NCT02837666 (July 19, 2016).

Extraction of valuable compounds from Arthrospira platensis using pulsed electric field treatment

Pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment was evaluated for phycocyanin and proteins extraction from Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina platensis). PEF extractions were performed using different specific energies (28, 56 and 122 J·ml^-1 of suspension) and the results were compared to the extraction with bead milling. At highest PEF-treatment energies a damage of the cell morphology could be observed and the highest yields (up to 85.2 ± 5.7 mg·g^-1 and 48.4 ± 4.4 g·100 g^-1 of phycocyanins and proteins, respectively) could be obtained at 122 and 56 J·ml^-1. The yields increased with incubation time after PEF-treatment. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts obtained after PEF-treatment was higher than of those obtained after bead milling. PEF treatment is a promising technology to obtain blue-green antioxidant extracts from A. platensis in an environmental friendly process.

Hypolipidemic Effect of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima Supplementation and a Systematic Physical Exercise Program in Overweight and Obese Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Crossover Controlled Trial

Low-fat diets, lipid-modifying nutraceuticals and a higher level of physical activity are often recommended to reduce dyslipidemia. A double-blind, randomized, crossover, controlled trial was designed to evaluate the independent and synergistic effects of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima supplementation (4.5 g·day^-1) with or without performing a physical exercise program (PEP: aerobic exercise (3 days·week^-1) + high-intensity interval training (2 days·week^-1)) on blood lipids and BMI of 52 sedentary men with excess body weight. During six weeks, all participants were assigned to four intervention treatments (Spirulina maxima with PEP (SE), placebo with PEP (Ex), Spirulina maxima without PEP (Sm), placebo without PEP (C; control)) and plasma lipids were evaluated spectrophotometrically pre- vs. post intervention in stratified subgroups (overweight, obese and dyslipidemic subjects). Pre/post comparisons showed significant reductions in all plasma lipids in the SE group, particularly in those with dyslipidemia (p ≤ 0.043). Comparing the final vs. the initial values, BMI, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in all treatment groups compared to C. Changes were observed mostly in SE interventions, particularly in dyslipidemic subjects (p < 0.05). Spirulina maxima supplementation enhances the hypolipidemic effect of a systematic PEP in men with excess body weight and dyslipidemia.

Phycobiliproteins and phycocyanin of Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) reduce apoptosis promoters and glomerular dysfunction in mercury-related acute kidney injury

Arthrospira maxima ( Spirulina) is considered a nutraceutical or functional food because it provides health benefits and it is used as nephroprotector because it contains nucleophilic compounds as phycobiliproteins and phycocyanin that prevent oxidative stress and cellular damage process. Also, it is known that inorganic mercury is bioaccumulated and exerted kidney toxicity. Despite the nephroprotective effect of Spirulina and its components, there is not enough information about the effect of them on renal function as well as the apoptosis process inhibition. This work aimed to investigate whether phycobiliproteins and phycocyanin of Spirulina can improve HgCl2-related glomerular and tubular renal dysfunction as well as the Bax, Bcl2, and effectors caspases alterations. Male mice were administrated with Spirulina, phycobiliproteins or phycocyanin 30 min before 5 mg/Kg HgCl2 administration. The nutraceuticals were administrated for the next 5 days. Then, the mice were euthanized. The renal function, caspases 3 and 9 activities, as well as Bax and Bcl2 expression were evaluated. Spirulina and its components prevent HgCl2-related apoptosis induction and glomerular dysfunction. We concluded that phycobiliproteins and phycocyanin of Spirulina reduce glomerular damage but not the tubular dysfunction in a mercury-related acute kidney injury.