Protective Effect of Spirulina Against Irradiation Induced Liver Injury in Adult Albino Rat Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University,Egypt

2 Lecturer of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt

Abstract

Background and Objective: Spirulina is a nutritional supplement that has a variety of pharmacological
properties, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the protective
effect of Spirulina against liver tissue injury induced by gamma irradiation.
Materials and Methods: Thirty two adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups each of which
included 8 rats: (1) control group, (2) irradiation group: exposed to gamma irradiation in a dose of 8 Gy
for 15 min, (3) Spirulina low dose treated (SPL) group which received Spirulina 300 mg/kg b.w. by gavage
once/day for 3 weeks prior to irradiation and (4) Spirulina high dose treated (SPH) group which received
Spirulina 1000 mg/kg b.w. by gavage once/day for 3 weeks before irradiation. Blood samples were collected
to determine levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde
(MDA) and plasma total proteins, in addition to liver tissue from all groups to be examined histologically
by light microscope and transmission electron microscope.
Results: The obtained results showed that plasma levels of ALT and AST were significantly reduced in rats
treated with low dose of Spirulina prior to irradiation when compared to irradiation group together with
significant rise of plasma total proteins and histological improvement of liver tissue, however, Spirulina
high dose treated group did not show any signs of improvement compared to irradiation group. It could be
concluded that low dose Spirulina treatment has a hepatoprotective effect against irradiation, whereas high
dose treatment may have a hepatotoxic effect that needs further investigations.

Keywords

The Egyptian Journal of Anatomy
Volume 40, Issue 1
January 2017
Pages 94-106

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