Research Article Details
Article ID: | A02212 |
PMID: | 34459004 |
Source: | J Food Biochem |
Title: | Chlorella vulgaris is an effective supplement in counteracting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-related complications through modulation of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and inflammatory pathways. |
Abstract: | This study was aimed to investigate the effect of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related complications induced by high-fat diet (HFD). Fifty adult male rats were divided into six groups. Control group and HFD group treated with or without C. vulgaris 5% and 10%. Biochemical parameters in serum were measured by spectrophotometric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. The relative gene expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), NF-kappa B (NF-ƙB), and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (p38 MAPK) in the liver were assessed by using quantitative real-time PCR, while the protein levels of NF-ƙB and TNF-α in the liver homogenate were determined by ELISA. The effects of HFD significantly were reversed by C. vulgaris, especially at a 10% dose. Therefore, it can be concluded that C. vulgaris therapeutically could be useful to improve NAFLD and its complications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: It is established that NAFLD is associated with the resistance to insulin, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. Accordingly, modulating of these conditions may be useful in the management of NAFLD. Our results showed the effectiveness of C. vulgaris against NAFLD-related complication through the alleviating insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and also down-regulation of inflammatory genes in p38 MAPK/TNF-α/NF-ƙB pathway. The results of our study may be useful for scientist to prepare an effective supplement from C. vulgaris to overcoming NAFLD-related complications. |
DOI: | 10.1111/jfbc.13914 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I13 | 3146 | Lipid metabolism disorder | An inherited metabolic disorder that involves the creation and degradation of lipids. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid_metabolism | disease of metabolism/ inherited metabolic disorder | Details |
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D404 | Chlorella Vulgaris | Supplement | -- | -- | Prebiotics | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |