284: Anti-Obesity Potential of Bioactive Compounds in Spirulina Microalgae and Bilberry in a Mammalian Cell Model

Introduction

Spirulina (S), a protein-rich cyanobacterium and bilberry (B), a dark berry, are known for their medicinal purposes. The aim was to identify potential anti-obesity properties and mechanisms of action of S and B utilizing adipocytes from an embryonic mouse cell model.

Methods

80% ethanol (ET) extracts of S & B, pure and combination (100% S (100S), 100% B (100B), 50% S + 50% B (50S+50B), 75% S + 25% B (75S+25B), and 25% S + 75% B (25S+75B)) were prepared for analysis. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were grown under two stages: differentiation (immature) and maintenance (mature) stage. The two stages of 3T3-L1 were treated with the S & B samples using standard protocols. LDH cytotoxicity, catalase (CAT), GSH, and other cell culture assays (inflammatory caspase activity) were performed on differentiated and maintenance stage cells using different concentrations (200 µg/ml, 400 µg/ml, 800 µg/ml) using standard protocols.

Results

LDH cytotoxicity in cells treated with 100 S ranged from 15.13%–22.87%, and 100 B 36.64%–61.18%. CAT activity in differentiation stage with 100S ranged from 59.86=93.88 U/g total protein, and 100 B from 43.94–80.91 U/g total protein. CAT results for maintenance stage with 100S ranged from 74.19–102.77 U/g total protein, and 100 B from 92.46–114.25 U/g total protein. GSH results for differentiation stage with 100 S ranged from 3.80–4.28 nmol/mg protein, and 100 B from 3.68–4.04 nmol/mg protein. GSH results for maintenance stage of 100 S ranged from 15.64–19.77 nmol/mg protein, and 100 B 13.01–16.00 nmol/mg protein. Both S and B (ET) reduced inflammatory cytokines and enhanced apoptosis of both differentiated cells.

Significance

Spirulina and bilberry are underexplored and underutilized in the food industry. Therefore, the significance of this research is to determine the applicable use of spirulina and bilberry in the prevention of obesity utilizing adipocytes from a mammalian cell culture model. in the light of the recent increase in childhood obesity.

Authors: K. Boyle*, H. Singh, J. Boateng, M. Verghese