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Health-promoting effects in the gut and influence on lipid metabolism of Himanthalia elongata and Gigartina pistillata in hypercholesterolaemic Wistar rats

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Abstract

The intake of Himanthalia elongata and Gigartina pistillata from the Spanish Atlantic coasts was evaluated in Wistar rats. Both seaweed diets showed higher (p < 0.001) faecal excretion. Colonic fermentation increased (p < 0.001) total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in Himanthalia-fed rats due to the higher (p < 0.001) levels of acetic, propionic and butyric acids. The intake of Gigartina increased (p < 0.001) propionic acid and decreased (p < 0.001) butyric acid. The apparent absorption and true retention of calcium and magnesium enhanced (p < 0.05) with Himanthalia diet, while Gigartina produced no significant effect. The serum concentration of HDL-C increased (p < 0.01), triglycerides (TGL) decreased (p < 0.001) and bile acids diminished (p < 0.001) in faeces of Himanthalia-fed rats. The Gigartina diet produced a decrease (p < 0.001) in TGL, total cholesterol (p < 0.01) and LDL-C (p < 0.05) in serum and reduced TGL in liver (p < 0.001). Thus, both seaweeds improved the lipid profile, and Himanthalia increased SCFA production and the absorption and retention of Ca and Mg as a result of the gut fermentation.

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Acknowledgments

This research work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, through Project AGL2008-00998 ALI. Thanks are given to the algal supplier Porto-Muiños (Coruña, Spain).

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dpto. Nutrición y Bromatología II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    María-José Villanueva, Mónica Morcillo, María-Dolores Tenorio, Inmaculada Mateos-Aparicio, Víctor Andrés & Araceli Redondo-Cuenca

Authors
  1. María-José Villanueva
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  2. Mónica Morcillo
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  3. María-Dolores Tenorio
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  4. Inmaculada Mateos-Aparicio
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  5. Víctor Andrés
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  6. Araceli Redondo-Cuenca
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Correspondence to Inmaculada Mateos-Aparicio.

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Villanueva, MJ., Morcillo, M., Tenorio, MD. et al. Health-promoting effects in the gut and influence on lipid metabolism of Himanthalia elongata and Gigartina pistillata in hypercholesterolaemic Wistar rats. Eur Food Res Technol 238, 409–416 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-013-2116-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-013-2116-5

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