Ameliorative effects of Spirulina supplementation on high fat and micronutrient deficiency associated complications in wistar rats

Spirulina intervention in high fat & micronutrient deficient wistar rats

Abstract

Dietary patterns characterised by excessive fat intake combined with inadequate micronutrient consumption are increasingly associated with metabolic disturbances, including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and organ-level dysfunction. Although Spirulina is recognised for its nutrient density and metabolic benefits, its efficacy under the compounded stress of a high-fat diet and concurrent micronutrient deficiency has not been systematically evaluated. Addressing this gap is important for developing nutritional strategies relevant to real-world dietary imbalances. This study investigated the ameliorative effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira) supplementation in Wistar rats fed either a high-fat (HF) diet or a micronutrient-deficient high-fat diet (HFD). Rats were initially maintained on Control (AIN-93G), HF, or HFD diets for 90 days. Thereafter, HF and HFD groups were subdivided to receive either the same diet or the respective diet enriched with 6.5% Spirulina biomass for an additional 60 days. HF and HFD feeding resulted in significant body-weight gain, elevated fasting glucose levels, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and marked histopathological alterations in the liver, heart, kidney, and testis. Spirulina supplementation moderated body-weight gain, restored fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance to control levels, and normalised lipid parameters in both HF- and HFD-fed rats. Histological analyses further confirmed substantial recovery of tissue morphology following Spirulina intervention. In summary, Spirulina supplementation effectively mitigated metabolic and histological impairments induced by combined high-fat intake and micronutrient deficiency. These findings highlight Spirulina’s potential as a functional dietary adjunct for managing complex, diet-induced metabolic disorders.