Spirulina, exercise and serum glucose control in diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of Spirulina and/or exercise training in the control of serum glucose homeostasis in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Young Wistar rats were induced to diabetes by intravenous alloxan administration and separated into four groups: diabetic control (DC), diabetic Spirulina (DS), diabetic exercise (DE) and diabetic exercise Spirulina (DES). Results: There were no differences between groups with respect to: body weight, food intake, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance and blood lactate concentrations during a swimming effort test. DS group showed lower insulin concentrations when compared with DC (pancreas) and DE and DES (serum). Conclusion: The protocols of exercise and supplementation with Spirulina used in the present study were not able to improve serum glucose homeostasis in diabetic rats.