The ameliorating effect of carotenoid rich fraction extracted from Dunaliella salina microalga against inflammation- associated cardiac dysfunction in obese rats

The carotenoid rich fraction of microalgae Dunaliella salina (crf-DS) have been receiving great attention, due to they abilities to protect and improve various disorders. The objective of this study is to explore the therapeutic efficiency of crf-DS on obesity-assciated cardiac dysfunction in the high-fat diet (HFD) treated rats. These rats were orally administered with crf-DS (150 mg /kg body weight), for six consecutive weeks in comparison with reference drug(orlistat). Specific cardiac biomarkers were examined including; adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), glucagon, troponin-I (cTnI). The cell adhesion molecules (VCAM and ICAM), C-reactive protein (CRP), collagen type II (Col II), collagen alpha-1 (III) chain (Col3A1), lipoxygenase activity (LOX), as well as histopathological examination of cardiac tissue were investigated. Results indicated a significant reduction(P ≤ 0.05) in adiponectin and glucagon levels in serum of obese rats. However, cTnI, PAI-1, cell adhesion molecules, CRP, Col II, and Col3A1 and LOX levels declared marked increase. Histopathological examination of cardiac tissue showed fibrosis with severe congestion in the myocardial blood vessels. On the other hand, rats medicated with a crf-DS demonstrated noticeable ameliorating effect in all the measured parameters. Beside, myocardial tissue of obese rats showed no alteration. Hence, It could be concluded that, oral supplementation with crf-DS is able to attenuate cardiac dysfunction in obese rats. Further extended work is needed to exploit, the possible application of D. salina as nutraceuticals and food additives.