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Published on: January 4, 2018
Chlorella modulates insulin signaling pathway and prevents high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice
Juliana Falcato Vecina1, Alexandre Gabarra Oliveira2, Tiago Gomes Araujo2
1Department of Pharmacology/Hemocenter, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil.
Aims:
The search for natural agents that minimize obesity-associated disorders is receiving special attention. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on body weight, lipid profile, blood glucose and insulin signaling in liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice.
Main Methods:
Balb/C mice were fed either with standard rodent chow diet or high-fat diet (HFD) and received concomitant treatment with CV for 12 consecutive weeks. Triglyceride, free fatty acid, total cholesterol and fractions of cholesterol were measured using commercial assay. Insulin and leptin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Insulin and glucose tolerance tests were performed. The expression and phosphorylation of IRβ, IRS-1 and Akt were determined by Western blot analyses.
Key Findings:
Herein we demonstrate for the first time in the literature that prevention by CV of high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in obese mice, as shown by increased glucose and insulin tolerance, is in part due to the improvement in the insulin signaling pathway at its main target tissues, by increasing the phosphorylation levels of proteins such as IR, IRS-1 and Akt. In parallel, the lower phosphorylation levels of IRS-1(ser307) were observed in obese mice. We also found that CV administration prevents high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia by reducing triglyceride, cholesterol and free fatty acid levels.
Significance:
We propose that the modulatory effect of CV treatment preventing the deleterious effects induced by high-fat diet is a good indicator for its use as a prophylactic-therapeutic agent against obesity-related complications.
Insights
Chlorella vulgaris (CV) prevents obesity-related complications by improving insulin signaling and lipid profiles in diet-induced obese mice. This natural agent shows promise as a prophylactic treatment for metabolic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition and Metabolism
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Obesity is linked to metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.
- Natural agents are sought for managing obesity and its complications.
- Diet-induced obesity models are crucial for studying metabolic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prophylactic effects of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction.
- To assess CV's impact on body weight, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism.
- To investigate CV's influence on insulin signaling pathways in key metabolic tissues.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with CV for 12 weeks.
- Lipid profiles, glucose, and insulin levels were measured.
- Insulin tolerance tests, glucose tolerance tests, and Western blot analyses were performed to assess insulin signaling.
Main Results:
- CV administration improved glucose and insulin tolerance in HFD-induced obese mice.
- CV treatment enhanced insulin signaling by increasing phosphorylation of IRβ, IRS-1, and Akt.
- CV prevented diet-induced dyslipidemia by reducing triglyceride, cholesterol, and free fatty acid levels.
Conclusions:
- Chlorella vulgaris demonstrates prophylactic effects against HFD-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders.
- CV modulates insulin signaling pathways and improves lipid profiles.
- CV is a potential therapeutic agent for preventing obesity-related complications.
