The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on serum fasting blood glucose, lipid parameters, and oxidative stress markers in male rats with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background. Some studies have shown that Spirulina has biological properties exerting beneficial effects on human health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Spirulina supplementation on serum glucose, lipid parameters, and oxidative stress markers in male rats with streptozotocin/nicotinamide–induced T2DM. Methods. In this experimental study, rats with diabetes were divided into six groups: healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic-metformin, diabetic-Spirulina 100 mg/dL, diabetic-Spirulina 200 mg/dL, and healthy control-Spirulina 200 mg/d. At the end of the study (28 days), the blood samples were collected, and the fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined. Results. Significant reductions (P<0.001) were found in serum level of FBG in Metformin and Spirulina 100 mg/kg compared with diabetic control group. The groups were different regarding the serum levels of HDL-C post-intervention. ANOVA analysis also showed significant differences between the Spirulina 100 mg/kg or Metformin group and diabetic control group regarding the serum level of MDA (P<0.05). Conclusion. Spirulina at a dose of 100 mg/kg may have contributed to controlling the fasting blood glucose and oxidative stress. Practical Implications. Our study results suggested that Spirulina, as a promising agent, at lower doses may have been considered as a functional food for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords

• spirulina platensis
• diabetes mellitus
• blood glucose
• lipid profile
• oxidative stress markers