Beneficial effect of seaweed on high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress and insulin resistance in rats

Effect of extracts from Capsosiphon fulvescens, Hizikia fusiforme, and Undaria pinnatifida blades on development of oxidative stress and insulin resistance in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were studied. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a normal diet, HFD, and HFD-supplemented with C. fulvescens, H. fusiforme, or U. pinnatifida blades for 8 weeks. Supplementation with C. fulvescens and H. fusiforme extracts significantly (p<0.05) elevated the plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration in HFD-fed rats, compared with controls. The plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substance level was significantly (p<0.05) lower in H. fusiforme and U. pinnatifida blade group rats than in HFD group rats. C. fulvescens, H. fusiforme, and U. pinnatifida blade extracts significantly (p<0.05) attenuated the effects of the HFD on plasma total antioxidant and superoxide dismutase activities, and on development of insulin resistance. Consumption of seaweed extracts increased antioxidant effects and improved insulin resistance in HFD-fed rats.