Intake of Chlorella vulgaris Improves Antioxidative Capacity in Rats Oxidatively Stressed with Dietary Cadmium

Background/Aims: This study was designed to examine the antioxidative capacity of chlorella in rats oxidatively stressed with dietary cadmium (Cd). Method: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats (14 weeks old) were fed diets containing 0, 3 or 5% chlorella, and 0 or 160 ppm Cd for 10 weeks. Activities of antioxidant enzymes and xanthine oxidase (XO), lipid peroxide concentration and superoxide radical generation were examined in blood and liver. Results: Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities were not different among the groups. Cd treatment significantly lowered liver SOD and GPx activities; however, there were no differences induced by the chlorella content. Dietary Cd markedly increased XO activities in plasma and liver. Five percent chlorella-containing diets significantly lowered plasma XO activity, 3% chlorella-containing diets significantly lowered liver XO activity. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of the Cd-3% chlorella group was significantly lower than that of the Cd-0% chlorella group. Liver MDA concentration of the Cd-5% chlorella group was significantly lower than that of the Cd-0% chlorella group. Increased serum and liver superoxide radical generation by Cd was significantly attenuated by chlorella intake. Conclusion: Chlorella could be applied as potential substance for reducing oxidative stress, since XO activity, MDA concentration and superoxide radical generation were decreased by chlorella intake. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel