Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) and C-phycocyanin prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease and its cardiovascular complications

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. CKD progression causes cardiovascular complications that involve substantial costs in terms of medical managing and that end with the patient's death. Consequently, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic strategies to reduces the CKD-related causes of cardiovascular complications. Nutraceuticals such as Arthrospira maxima (Spirulina) and C-phycocyanin have been used in the treatment of renal and cardiovascular disease. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate wheter the administration of A. maxima or C-phycocyanin prevents the progression of CKD and cardiovascular complications in rat CKD model. We observed that A. maxima and C-phycocyanin reduced CKD-related causes of hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, renal dysfunction and oxidative stress in the kidney and heart. In conclusion, A. maxima or C-phycocyanin could be used to delay CKD because they prevent the progression of CKD and the associated cardiovascular complications.