Spirulina Against the Risks of Exposure to Toxic Metals

Abstract

This study evaluated the potential of protection of a green alga used in herbal medicine, spirulina, against the toxic effects induced by the mixture of heavy metals, lead, cadmium and arsenic in Sprague Dawley. The experiment was performed during 4 weeks with 5 groups of 6 rats per group (3 males and 3 females) fed normally. Except the control group, the other groups were fed orally, simultaneously and repeatedly by a mixture of the three toxic metals with or without Spirulina: two groups of rats received different doses of toxic metals and the last two groups received, apart metals, some different concentrations of Spirulina. Haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed in parallel with the removal of metals and calcium in feces and urine of exposed rats. The results showed that exposure to heavy metals induce a decrease in number for white blood cells and red blood cells and an increase of transaminases and total cholesterol. Correcting these dysfunctions with the rats that received spirulina and metals confirms the protective role of the algae against anemia, immune deficiency and liver poisoning. These protective effects were parallel to the retention of calcium in against the elimination of lead and cadmium in the feces and urine of these rats.