Phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin from Spirulina platensis protect against diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting oxidative stress
Abstract
We and other investigators have reported that bilirubin and its precursor biliverdin may have beneficial effects on diabetic vascular complications, including nephropathy, via its antioxidant effects. Here, we investigated whether phycocyanin derived from Spirulina platensis, a blue-green algae, and its chromophore phycocyanobilin, which has a chemical structure similar to that of biliverdin, protect against oxidative stress and renal dysfunction in db/db mice, a rodent model for Type 2 diabetes. Oral administration of phycocyanin (300 mg/kg) for 10 wk protected against albuminuria and renal mesangial expansion in db/db mice, and normalized tumor growth factor-β and fibronectin expression. Phycocyanin also normalized urinary and renal oxidative stress markers and the expression of NAD(P)H oxidase components. Similar antioxidant effects were observed following oral administration of phycocyanobilin (15 mg/kg) for 2 wk. Phycocyanobilin, bilirubin, and biliverdin also inhibited NADPH dependent superoxide production in cultured renal mesangial cells. In conclusion, oral administration of phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin may offer a novel and feasible therapeutic approach for preventing diabetic nephropathy.
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By suppressing adipocyte oxidative stress, spirulina may lead to systemic anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising effects.
“Thus, by suppressing adipocyte oxidative stress, spirulina may lead to systemic anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising effects.12–20”
From Effects of spirulina on weight loss and blood lipids: A review (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
Phycocyanobilin is structurally similar to bilirubin and can inhibit NADPH oxidase.
“Phycocyanobilin is structurally similar to bilirubin and can inhibit NADPH oxidase.”
From Effects of spirulina on weight loss and blood lipids: A review (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
The antioxidant activity of spirulina is directly proportional to the quantity of phycocyanin.
“The antioxidant activity of spirulina has been proven to be directly proportional to the quantity of phycocyanin (which contains phycocyanobilin).12–14 45”
From Effects of spirulina on weight loss and blood lipids: A review (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Zheng, J., Inoguchi, T., Sasaki, S., Maeda, Y., McCarty, M. F., Fujii, M., Ikeda, N., Kobayashi, K., Sonoda, N., & Takayanagi, R.
- Affiliations
- Kyushu University (JP)
- NutriGuard Research, Incorporated, Encinitas, California
- Corresponding author
- Inoguchi, Toyoshi
- ORCID
- Venue
- American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Published
- 2013-01-15
- Volume
- 304
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- R110-R120
- ISSN
- 0363-6119 (ISSN-L)
- 1522-1490
- OpenAlex
- W1965710900
- Cited by
- 201
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 8
- FWCI
- 7.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Nephrology › Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Natural Antidiabetic Agents Studies
- Keywords
- phycocyanin, phycocyanobilin, Spirulina platensis, diabetic nephropathy, oxidative stress, type 2 diabetes, db/db mice, albuminuria, NADPH oxidase, superoxide production, renal fibrosis, bilirubin, biliverdin, antioxidant activity, oral administration
- MeSH terms
- Administration, Oral, Albuminuria, Animals, Antioxidants, Bilirubin, Biliverdine, Cells, Cultured, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Diabetic Nephropathies, Disease Models, Animal, Fibronectins, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Kidney, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Phycocyanin, Superoxides, Time Factors, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Oxidative Stress, NADPH Oxidases, Mice, Phycobilins, Spirulina
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