Microalgae biomass intake positively modulates serum lipid profile and antioxidant status

Abstract

This study investigated the biocompounds present in the Scenedesmus obliquus biomass and evaluated the effect of the supplementation in the serum lipid profile and tissues antioxidant status of mice. Male mice were divided into control and microalgae biomass treated groups (T1 = 400 and T2 = 800 mg·kg−1 bw·d−1) for four weeks. Serum and tissues (heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen) were analyzed. The microalgae biomass presented a valuable content of biocompounds. In serum, the T2 treatment promoted an increase in high-density lipoprotein but also triglycerides levels. The T1 increased glutathione peroxidase (kidney) and antioxidant potential of all tissues, while T2 treatment was able to raise the glutathione reductase (liver) and glutathione peroxidase (kidneys) activities, as well as the heart antioxidant potential. The two doses reduced lipid peroxidation in all tissues. Thus, we observed that S. obliquus biomass (T1) exerted a protective influence against tissue lipid peroxidation.

Keywords

• Green microalgae
• Carotenoids
• Amino acids
• Fatty acids
• Antioxidant potential
• Lipid peroxidation