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Alves JLDB, Costa PCTD, Sales LCSD, Silva Luis CC, Bezerra TPT, Souza MLA, Costa BA, de Souza EL. Shedding light on the impacts of Spirulina platensis on gut microbiota and related health benefits. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38420934 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2323112] [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: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Spirulina (S.) platensis is a blue-green algae with reported nutritional and health-promoting properties, such as immunomodulating, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering properties, and beneficial effects on inflammatory diseases. Spirulina platensis can improve the function and composition of the gut microbiota and exert systemic beneficial effects. Gut dysbiosis is characterized by an imbalance in the composition and function of gut microbiota and is associated with several diseases. Some dietary bioactive compounds can restore the composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiota and improve health-related parameters. This review proposes to gather relevant information on the effects of S. platensis supplementation on the modulation of the function and composition of gut microbiota and local and systemic measures related to gut health, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and glucose and lipid metabolism. The body of evidence conducted with animals and clinical studies shows that S. platensis supplementation increased gut microbiota diversity and improved gut microbiota composition, as reported by a decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio, increase in the relative abundance of Prevotella and Lactobacillaceae, increase in short-chain fatty acid production and decrease of gut permeability. Improvements in gut microbiota have been associated with host health benefits such as anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-lipemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luiz de Brito Alves
- Department of Nutrition, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraiba, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Paulo César Trindade da Costa
- Department of Nutrition, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraiba, 58051-900, Brazil
| | | | - Cristiane Cosmo Silva Luis
- Department of Nutrition, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraiba, 58051-900, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Luiza Alves Souza
- Department of Nutrition, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraiba, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Bagnólia Araújo Costa
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
| | - Evandro Leite de Souza
- Department of Nutrition, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraiba, 58051-900, Brazil
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Prete V, Abate AC, Di Pietro P, De Lucia M, Vecchione C, Carrizzo A. Beneficial Effects of Spirulina Supplementation in the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases. Nutrients 2024; 16:642. [PMID: 38474769 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, as a result of rising mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), there has been a growing urgency to find alternative approaches to conventional pharmaceutical treatment to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as Spirulina, is a blue-green cyanobacterium, classified as a "superfood", used worldwide as a nutraceutical food supplement due to its remarkable nutritional value, lack of toxicity, and therapeutic effects. Several scientific studies have evaluated the cardioprotective role of Spirulina. This article presents a comprehensive review of the therapeutic benefits of Spirulina in improving cardio- and cerebrovascular health. It focuses on the latest experimental and clinical findings to evaluate its antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic properties. The objective is to highlight its potential in preventing and managing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Prete
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Angela Carmelita Abate
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Paola Di Pietro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | | | - Carmine Vecchione
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Albino Carrizzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
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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.
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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
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Rahnama I, Arabi SM, Chambari M, Bahrami LS, Hadi V, Mirghazanfari SM, Rizzo M, Hadi S, Sahebkar A. The effect of Spirulina supplementation on lipid profile: GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of data from randomized controlled trials. Pharmacol Res 2023; 193:106802. [PMID: 37263369 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the most important causes of death worldwide. Dyslipidemia is one of the main causal risk factors for CVD that can be controlled by modifying lifestyle, which entails the use of healthy diets containing functional foods. The present study was conducted to summarize the effects of Spirulina on the lipid profile in previous randomized controlled trials. METHODS MEDLINE, Scopus, Clarivate Analytics Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically until January 2023, for clinical interventions that investigated the effect of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid profile concentrations. RESULTS ooled results of 20 studies (with 23 arms and 1076 participants) indicated that Spirulina intervention significantly reduced LDL-C (SMD: -0.6, 95% CI: -0.9, -0.2, P˂0.05), TC (SMD: -0.6, 95% CI: -0.9, -0.2, P˂0.05) and TG (SMD: -0.6, 95% CI: -0.9, -0.2, P˂0.05) levels while HDL-C levels were significantly increased (SMD: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.0, 0.6, P˂0.05). CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present meta-analysis and review show the usefulness of supplementing with Spirulina in improving serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Rahnama
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Mostafa Arabi
- Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran; Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Mahla Chambari
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Leila Sadat Bahrami
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran; Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Vahid Hadi
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sayid Mahdi Mirghazanfari
- Department of Physiology and Iranian Medicine, School of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Manfredi Rizzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133Palermo, Italy
| | - Saeid Hadi
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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