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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Chlorella modulates insulin signaling pathway and prevents high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice

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Author(s):
Vecina, Juliana Falcato [1] ; Oliveira, Alexandre Gabarra [2] ; Araujo, Tiago Gomes [2] ; Baggio, Sueli Regina [3] ; Torello, Cristiane Okuda [1] ; Abdalla Saad, Mario Jose [2] ; de Souza Queiroz, Mary Luci [1]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Pharmacol, Hemoctr, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Internal Med, BR-13081970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[3] Food Technol Inst ITAL, Food Sci & Qual Ctr CCQA, BR-13070178 Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Life Sciences; v. 95, n. 1, p. 45-52, JAN 24 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 14
Abstract

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 IR beta, IRS-1 and Ala 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 dietinduced 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-lse' were observed in obese mice. We also found that CV administration prevents high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia by reducing triglyceride, cholesterol and free fatty add 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. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)