Spirulina a nutritional supplement as a possible alternative in weight control. A study with Wistar rats

• Main Authors: Guillen-Martín del Campo Jorge Alberto, Calvillo-Femat Antonio, Mosqueda-Esparza Joyce Ivonne, Rodríguez-Hernández Adán Israel, Jaramillo-González Francisco
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Selva Andina Research Society 2020-02-01
• Series: Journal of the Selva Andina Research Society
• Subjects: spirulina alga; obesity; weight control; wistar rats
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.org.bo/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2072-92942020000100006&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es

Recently spirulina algae have been used for weight reduction. It is known that at least 36 g of this algae provide all the essential amino acids, among other different compounds such as fiber and flavonoids with the possibility of treating obesity or overweight, The objective was to determine if the administration of spirulina helps reduce body weight in Wistar rats as well as determining possible effects on the metabolism of different general biochemical markers such as a lipid profile, urea and creatinine. A double-blind experimental study was applied using 10 Wistar rats, four rats called experimental rats, 5.8 mg of spirulina diluted in 1 mL of water, by orogastric tube for eight weeks, were administered to the control group (6 rats same species and initial weight) He was given only 1 mL of water. The weight of the experimental rats versus the controls had no significant changes. Regarding the biochemical markers, only a significant increase in the values of urea, total cholesterol, and triglycerides of the experimental group in relation to the control was found. The findings suggest the intake of spirulina for weight control and in possible states of malnutrition