Title The effects of arthrospirea platensis on winstar rats' physical activity and longevity bendra b3 the effects of arthrospirea platensis on winstar rats' physical activity and longevity bendra b3 the effects of arthrospirea platensis on winstar rats' physical activity and longevity /
Translation of Title Arthrospira platensis poveikis Wistar žiurkių fiziniam aktyvumui ir ilgaamžiškumui.
Authors Katkevičius, Nojus
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Pages 41
Keywords [eng] Spirulina, Wistar rat, longevity, aging, physical activity
Abstract [eng] Arthrospira platensis, more commonly Spirulina is a blue-green microalgae that has been used by many civilizations throughout the ages, the first recorded use of which was by spanish colonisers in Mesoamerica who described the local aztec fishermen gathering seaweed with fine nets from the lagoon. Research into Spirulina picked up in the 1970s, when chemical analyses showed that Spirulina has a protein content reaching up to 70 per cent of its dry mass. Latest research suggests that Spirulina has a great amount of nutrients, such as phycocyanin that helps immune reaction and reduces oxydative stress which may reduce cell aging, as well as iron and vitamin B12, which reduce anemia, a possible cause in premature death. The aim of our study was to determine whether Spirulina supplementation reduces expressions of aging as shown by the rats’ locomotor activity and other indices. The study tasks: to measure the rats’ locomotor activity throughout treatment; to measure the effects of Spirulina on the rats’ circadian activity; to investigate whether the full blood count of rats receiving Spirulina shows any changes. The methods for the study were an open field test, circadian activity sensors, and a full blood count test. 125µg of Spirulina were used to make 10% and 20% solutions. The study showed that Spirulina supplementation did not help maintain physical activity over the course of the rats aging throughout the experiment as compared to the control group; the circadian activity remained unchanged between the groups; the full blood count results remained nearly identical between all groups across both blood collection trials.
Dissertation Institution Vilniaus universitetas.
Type Master thesis
Language English
Publication date 2025