Potential protective effects of the edible algae Arthrospira platensis against lead-induced oxidative stress, anemia, kidney variables and histopathological changes in adult rats.

Oxidative damage has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in lead toxicity. This study aimed at investigating the possible protective effect of dietary Arthrospira platensis supplementation against lead acetate-induced kidney injury in adult rats. We took adult male rats as models. Rats were divided into 4 groups: Normal rats (control rats, C), rats treated with spirulina (S), rats treated with lead (0.344 g/kg body weight) (Pb), and rats treated with Pb associated with 5% Spirulina (S+Pb). The exposure of rats to Pb for 30 days provoked renal damages with a significant increase in hematological parameters, oxidative stress-related parameters (ie, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, protein carbonyl, advanced oxidation protein products and hydrogen peroxide), creatinine and urea levels in plasma and uric acid level in urine. Conversely, antioxidant enzyme activities (ie, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) and levels of non-protein thiol, plasma uric acid, creatinine, and urinary urea decreased. The administration of nutrition supplement (spirulina) to Pb-treated rats significantly improved weight, peripheral blood parameters, oxidative stress related parameters, renal biomarkers levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. Also, spirulina supplemented rats recovered normal kidney histology. These healing effects are likely the result of the high phenolic content and the significant antioxidant capacity of Arthrospira platensis. Our data strongly suggested that spirulina supplementation is very helpful to the improvement of kidney function and plays an important role in the prevention of intoxication complications.