Protective role of spirulina and vitamin E against arsenic toxicity in rats

Abstract

Arsenic is one of the most sensitive environmental issues in Bangladesh; even it is a major health concern in Asia. Spirulina and vitamin E have been considered as a potential therapeutic supplement due to its ability to minimize several element induced toxicities in various species including man. The study was performed to evaluate the role of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) and vitamin E in prevention of arsenic toxicity in different groups (T 0-4, n = 60) of Long-Evans rats. T 0 was control group, T 1 was treated with sodium arsenite, T 2 was treated with sodium arsenite plus spirulina, T 3 was treated with sodium arsenite plus vitamin E and T 4 was treated with sodium arsenite plus vitamin E plus spirulina daily for 63 days. Sodium arsenite was at 4 mg kg -1 b.wt., spirulina was at 1 g kg -1 feed and vitamin E was at 200 mg kg -1 feed. Samples were collected on day 21, 42 and 63. Arsenic was detected from tissue samples by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (HGAAS). Sodium arsenite feeding in rats caused chronic arsenic toxicity and the arsenic content in tissues (blood, lung, liver and kidney) of the exposed rats were significantly higher than control rats. Spirulina and vitamin E treatments significantly lowered the arsenic content in tissues. Arsenic caused hepatic and renal dysfunction but spirulina and vitamin E improved the hepatic and renal functions. Spirulina feeding was more effective than vitamin E and their combined treatment was more effective compare to their single treatment. The study demonstrates the role of spirulina and vitamin E in the reduction of toxicity of arsenic.