Anti-Glycation Properties of Zinc-Enriched Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) Contribute to Prevention of Metaflammation in a Diet-Induced Obese Mouse Model

• Published in: Nutrients 2024-02, Vol.16 (4), p.552
• Main Authors: Aimaretti, Eleonora, Porchietto, Elisa, Mantegazza, Giacomo, Gargari, Giorgio, Collotta, Debora, Einaudi, Giacomo, Ferreira Alves, Gustavo, Marzani, Enrica, Algeri, Alessandro, Dal Bello, Federica, Aragno, Manuela, Cifani, Carlo, Guglielmetti, Simone, Mastrocola, Raffaella, Collino, Massimo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: advanced glycation end products (AGEs); Animals; Antioxidants; Arthrospira platensis (spirulina); Cytokines; Diabetes; Diet; Diet, High-Fat - adverse effects; Dietary supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Fatty acids; Food; Glucose; glyoxalase-1 (GLO1); Inflammation; Insulin resistance; Laboratory animals; Lipids; Male; Metabolic disorders; metaflammation; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Obese; Obesity; Obesity - etiology; Obesity - metabolism; Plasma; Proteins; receptor for AGEs (RAGE); RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Spirulina - chemistry; Toxicity; Zinc; zinc supplementation
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu16040552

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) exert a key pathogenic role in the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Thanks to its abundance in bioactive compounds, the microalga (spirulina, SP) is proposed as a nutritional supplement. Here, we investigated the potential anti-glycating properties of SP enriched with zinc (Zn-SP) and the following impact on diet-induced metabolic derangements. Thirty male C57Bl6 mice were fed a standard diet (SD) or a high-fat high-sugar diet (HFHS) for 12 weeks, and a subgroup of HFHS mice received 350 mg/kg Zn-SP three times a week. A HFHS diet induced obesity and glucose intolerance and increased plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and transaminases. Zn-SP administration restored glucose homeostasis and reduced hepatic dysfunction and systemic inflammation. In the liver of HFHS mice, a robust accumulation of AGEs was detected, paralleled by increased expression of the main AGE receptor (RAGE) and depletion of glyoxalase-1, whereas Zn-SP administration efficiently prevented these alterations reducing local pro-inflammatory responses. 16S rRNA gene profiling of feces and ileum content revealed altered bacterial community structure in HFHS mice compared to both SD and HFHS + Zn-SP groups. Overall, our study demonstrates relevant anti-glycation properties of Zn-SP which contribute to preventing AGE production and/or stimulate AGE detoxification, leading to the improvement of diet-related dysbiosis and metabolic derangements.