Spirulina prevents atherosclerosis by reducing hypercholesterolemia in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet.
The anti-atherogenic effects of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) were investigated in the New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit model. The animal had hypercholesterolemia induced by being fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD) containing 0.5% cholesterol for 4 wk, and then fed a HCD supplemented with 1 or 5% spirulina (SP1 or SP5) for an additional 8 wk. Spirulina supplementation lowered intimal surface of the aorta by 32.2 to 48.3%, compared to HCD. Serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) significantly were reduced in SP groups. After 8 wk, serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) remarkably decreased by 26.4% in SP1 and 41.2% in SP5, compared to HCD. On the other hand, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was markedly increased in SP1 and SP5 compared with that in the HCD group from 2 to 8 wk. These results suggest that spirulina intake can cause the reduction of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis, associated with a decrease in levels of serum TC, TG and LDL-C, and an elevation of HDL-C level. Spirulina may, therefore, be beneficial in preventing atherosclerosis and reducing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Cheong
Sun Hee
SH
Department of Food and Nutrition, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea.
Kim
Mi Yeon
MY
Sok
Dai-Eun
DE
Hwang
Seock-Yeon
SY
Kim
Jin Hee
JH
Kim
Hye Ran
HR
Lee
Jeung Hee
JH
Kim
Yun-Bae
YB
Kim
Mee Ree
MR
D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001011:Aorta; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D053545:Spirulina; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol