ABSTRACT
The alga Dunaliella bardawil has been investigated as a protective means against atherosclerosis, mainly because of its high content of β-carotene, that potentially, can protect LDL against oxidation, which is a key event in atherogenesis. The effect of Dunaliella on risk factors for atherosclerosis (such as increased plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, TGs, and decreased HDL cholesterol) has been investigated as well. The gathered data suggest that Dunaliella bardawil administration has the potential to inhibit LDL oxidation and to influence plasma TG cholesterol, and HDL levels. In studies performed in mouse models of atherosclerosis and human trials, we found that 9-cis rich powder has a more potent anti-atherogenic effect than poor 9-cis β-carotene Dunaliella powder. Therefore, we hypothesize that Dunaliella powder exerts beneficial effects on atherosclerosis, because of its high content of 9-cis β-carotene, a source for the rexinoid X receptor ligand, 9-cis retinoic acid.
The effect of Dunaliella on atherogenesis in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis has not been studied yet. However, studies in mouse models of atherosclerosis and the beneficial effect on plasma lipids and HDL-cholesterol levels in humans imply that the alga has the potential to inhibit atherosclerosis formation in patients with risk factors for the disease.
