Immunostimulant effects of dietary Spirulina platensis on diethylnitrosamine - injected mice.

Abdalla, O.A., Fararh, K.M.2 and Farid A.S., Hassan, A.A.,

Abstract

The present study was designed to study the effect of S. platensis on blood parameters, immune system, metabolic functions of liver and NF-κB p65 expression in liver tissue against hepatotoxicity induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in mice. Animals were divided into five groups (24 mice per group). Group one was used as a control. Group two was administered 100 mg DEN/ kg once for 20 weeks. Group three was administered 100 mg DEN/kg once for 16 weeks then received S. platensis (500 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Group four was administered 100 mg DEN/kg once for 16 weeks then received S. platensis (1000 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Group five was received S. platensis (500 mg/kg) for 4 weeks then administered 100 mg DEN/kg once for 20 weeks. Whole blood samples were collected on EDTA for hematology. Serum was separated for biochemical determents and immunological parameters. Liver samples were taken for immunohistochemical examination of NF-κB p65 expression in hepatic tissue. The results revealed that in S. platensis treated groups there were significant decrease of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. Also, anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL10) were decrease significantly in S. platensis treated groups. On the other hand; there was significant increase of total protein, albumin and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). Furthermore, S. platensis revealed significant decrease of NF-κB p65 expression in hepatic tissue which induced by DEN. Higher dose of S. platensis increased the improvements of all parameters. These results revealed that S. platensis has a strong antihepatotoxic and immune supplement effects in mice treated with DEN.

Key words

TNF-α, IL-6, Spirulina platensis, diethylnitrosamine, mice