US EPA

4307667 

Journal Article 

Spirulina Extract Enhanced a Protective Effect in Type 1 Diabetes by Anti-Apoptosis and Anti-ROS Production 

Lee, J; Park, A; Kim, MJ; Lim, HJ; Rha, YA; Kang, HG 

2017 

1 

Nutrients
ISSN: 2072-6643 

9 

12 

English 

29244751 

10.3390/nu9121363 

WOS:000419188600088 

Interest in the nutritional value and pharmacological activities of blue-green algae has gradually increased.Spirulinaextracts show protective effects against apoptosis and inflammatory damage in various cell types. Here, we investigated the protective effects of extracts fromSpirulina maximain a cytokine-mediated type 1 diabetes model in vitro and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats in vivo. Interleukin-1β and interferon-gamma induced substantial cytotoxicity to RINm5F rat insulinoma cells, increasing nitric oxide (NO) production, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity, the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes, and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and key genes related apoptosis. However, the cytotoxicity of cytokines was significantly attenuated bySpirulinaextract, which effectively prevented NO production by inhibiting the synthesis of cytokine-activated NO synthase (iNOS), and apoptosis was suppressed. These results suggest thatSpirulinaextract might be effective to preserve the viability and function of pancreatic β-cells against cytotoxic conditions. Moreover, diabetic mice orally administeredSpirulinaextract showed decreased glucose levels, increased insulin, and improvement in liver enzyme markers. The antioxidant effect ofSpirulinaextract may be helpful in treating type 1 diabetes by enhancing the survival, and reducing or delaying cytokine-mediated β-cells destruction.