Protective effects of <it>Spirulina maxima </it>on hyperlipidemia and oxidative-stress induced by lead acetate in the liver and kidney

• Main Authors: Juárez-Oropeza Marco A, Torres-Durán Patricia V, Hernández-Muñoz Rolando, Pérez-Méndez Oscar, Ponce-Canchihuamán Johny C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2010-03-01
• Series: Lipids in Health and Disease
• Online Access: http://www.lipidworld.com/content/9/1/35

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oxidative damage has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in lead toxicity, specially affecting the liver and kidney. Previous studies have shown the antioxidant effect of <it>Spirulina maxima </it>in several experimental models of oxidative stress. The current study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of <it>Spirulina maxima </it>against lead acetate-induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative damage in the liver and kidney of male rats. Control animals were fed on a standard diet and did not receive lead acetate (Control group). Experimental animals were fed on a standard laboratory diet with or without <it>Spirulina maxima </it>5% in the standard laboratory diet and treated with three doses of lead acetate (25 mg each/weekly, intraperitoneal injection) (lead acetate with <it>Spirulina</it>, and lead acetate without <it>Spirulina </it>groups).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that <it>Spirulina maxima </it>prevented the lead acetate-induced significant changes on plasma and liver lipid levels and on the antioxidant status of the liver and kidney. On the other hand, <it>Spirulina maxima </it>succeeded to improve the biochemical parameters of the liver and kidney towards the normal values of the Control group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It was concluded that <it>Spirulina maxima </it>has protective effects on lead acetate-induced damage, and that the effects are associated with the antioxidant effect of <it>Spirulina</it>.</p>