Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, C-reactive protein and total protein in rats fed with Spirulina platensis and/or hydrogenated vegetable oil and/or cholesterol added to the basal diet.

Method and Materials: Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The control group was fed with the basal diet. In addition to the basal diet, the experimental groups were fed with: Experiment 1, 43% hydrogenated vegetable oil; Experiment 2, 10% cholesterol; Experiment 3, 43% hydrogenated vegetable oil and 10% cholesterol; Experiment 4, 3% Spirulina platensis; Experiment 5, 43% hydrogenated vegetable oil and 3% Spirulina platensis; Experiment 6, 10% cholesterol and 3% Spirulina platensis; and Experiment 7, 43% hydrogenated vegetable oil and 10% cholesterol and 3% Spirulina platensis.

Results: Serum glucose, C-reactive protein and total protein concentrations were not significantly affected by the applications. Spirulina supplementation was not effective on the feeding with hydrogenated vegetable oil or cholesterol for serum insulin concentrations. Spirulina added to the diet significantly decreased serum lipoprotein (a) levels compared to the control group. Moreover, the improver effect of Spirulina on serum apolipoproteins A1 and B levels was not observed.

Conclusion: The dose of Spirulina used in this study may not be sufficient. Future studies with Spirulina will provide the basis for developing new drugs to prevent or treat hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases.

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