Hypercholesterolemia Induced Oxidative Stress Is Reduced in Rats with Diets Enriched with Supplement from Dunaliella salina Algae

Abstract

Dunaliella salina (D.salina), an alga is known as a potent free radical quencher and an antioxidant in biological systems. The present study examined the modulation of hypercholesterolemia and 5'-Deiodinase (5'-DI) activity on D. salina supplementation. Male SD rats were divided into three groups. Group-I rats acted as control and were fed standard pellet diet. Animals in group-II were supplemented with 2% cholesterol in the control diet. Further, the diet of group-III animals was supplemented with 2% cholesterol and 1.25g D.salina/Kg high cholesterol diet (HCD). After two months of diet feeding, significant increase in serum cholesterol and triglycerides in HCD fed animals was found as compared to the control counterpart. Significantly increased activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in HCD fed group were observed as compared to control. Lipid peroxidation levels increased nearly 2 folds. Significant decrease in the T 3 (triiodothyronine) and increase in T 4 (thyroxine) levels on HCD feeding in comparison to the respective control was observed. D. salina supplementation caused restoration of catalase, SOD, MDA (Malondialdehyde) levels, as well as thyroid hormones compared to HCD group. The present study clearly indicated the protective role of D. salina on various events leading to atherogenicity in terms of maintaining basic lipid profile. The altered levels of 5'-DI obtained during high cholesterol diet feeding got normalized on D. salina supplementation. Hence, increased uptake of the D. salina, but within safe limits, in general population may be useful against development of hypercholesterolemia related disorders. Finally, on the basis of present observations, it could be concluded that D. salina protects against atherogenesis and hypothyroidism and could be exploited accordingly as a cheap diet supplement.