Hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina platensis in rats administered mercuric chloride

Abstract

In the present study Spirulina platensis has been investigated as a possible modifier of mercury induced hepatic damages and alteration of lipid profile in albino rats. The results revealed that the rats treated with mercuric chloride (HgCl2) showed a significant increase in levels of blood hydroperoxide, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Moreover, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of HgCl2 group elevated significantly. On the other hand, plasma protein, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and hepatic glutathione (GSH) of HgCl2 treated group showed a significant decrease compared to the control group. Mercury intoxication induces some pathological alterations in the liver as necrosis and cytoplasmic vacuolization. The rise in plasma hepatic enzymes, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, hydroperoxide, and histopathological changes were significantly attenuated by Spirulina. Moreover, the levels of plasma HDL-C and protein and hepatic glutathione in Spirulina+HgCl2 group showed a significant increase as compared with HgCl2 group. Spirulina significantly alleviated the hepatotoxicity induced by HgCl2 and modified the lipid profile through its antioxidant properties. © 2011 Academic Journals.