title: Spirulina versicolor improves insulin sensitivity and attenuates hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress in fructose-fed rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study aimed to investigate the anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and insulin sensitizing effects of the cyanobacterium Spirulina versicolor extract in fructose-fed rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were fed 30% fructose solution in drinking water for 4 weeks. Animals exhibited hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia were selected for further investigations. Diabetic and control rats were orally supplemented with 50 mg/kg body weight S. versicolor extract for 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of 8 weeks, fructose-fed rats showed a significant increase in serum glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, cardiovascular risk indices and insulin resistance. Treatment of the fructose-fed rats with S. versicolor extract improved this metabolic profile. Fructose feeding produced a significant increase in serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and a decrease in adiponectin levels. In addition, fructose-fed rats exhibited a significant increase in liver, kidney and heart lipid peroxidation levels, and declined antioxidant defenses. Supplementation of the fructose-fed rats with S. versicolor extract reversed these alterations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S. versicolor attenuates hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation, and is thus effective in improving insulin sensitivity in fructose-fed rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Walaa G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Hozayen
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Division of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ayman M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hanan A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sanura R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mostafa
keywords: Diabetes; Spirulina; fructose; inflammation; insulin resistance; oxidative stress