Effects of Dietary Microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana on Serum and Redox Status in Obese Rats Subjected to a High Fat Diet
Marine organisms, including microalgae, are among major subjects of investigation for the research of new molecules with biological activity that may improve responses to metabolic treatment. Microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana are rich sources of diverse bioactive compounds. In this context, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana in the modulation of biochemical parameters and oxidant/antioxidant markers in rats subjected to a high fat diet. Male rats were fed on control or high fat diet (hyperlipidic/hypercaloric diet), supplemented or not with Nannochloropsis gaditana (10%) for two months. At the end of the experiment, plasma and tissues biochemical parameters and oxidant/antioxidant markers were determined. Our results show that the high fat diet induced a significant increase in body weight, food intake, and adverse alterations in biochemical parameters such as an increase in plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, and oxidant markers. Nannochloropsis gaditana supplementation in high fat diet induced a reduction in weight gain, plasma, and tissue lipids and attenuates oxidative stress, thus, improving the metabolic status. In conclusion, Nannochloropsis gaditana by the properties of their bioactive compounds seem to have a hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic nature and improves the redox status of the subject, which could prevent and/or attenuate some metabolic disorders associated with obesity.