title: Protective effects of Chlorella vulgaris on liver toxicity in cadmium-administered rats.
abstract: The biochemical mechanisms of Chlorella vulgaris protection against cadmium (Cd)-induced liver toxicity were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats (5 weeks of age, weighing 90-110 g). Forty rats were randomly divided into one control and three groups treated with 10 ppm Cd: one Cd without Chlorella (Cd-0C), one Cd with 5% Chlorella (Cd-5C), and one Cd with 10% Chlorella (Cd-10C) groups. The rats had free access to water and diet for 8 weeks. Body weight gain and relative liver weight were significantly lower in the Cd-0C group than in Cd-5C and Cd-10C groups. Rats in the Cd-0C group had significantly higher hepatic concentrations of Cd and metallothioneins (MTs) than in the Cd-5C or Cd-10C group. The hepatic MT I/II mRNA was expressed in all experimental rats. MT II was more expressed in the Cd-5C and Cd-10C groups than in the Cd-0C group. Morphologically, a higher level of congestion and vacuolation was observed in the livers of the Cd-0C group compared to those of the Cd-5C and Cd-10C groups. Therefore, this study suggests that C. vulgaris has a protective effect against Cd-induced liver damage by reducing Cd accumulation and stimulating the expression of MT II in liver. However, the details of the mechanism of C. vulgaris on liver toxicity remains to be clarified by further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Hye-seoung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jae-Gab
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hyeung-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Byung-Lak
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Kyung-Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ae-Son
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Om
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D002105:Cadmium Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D022781:Hepatocytes; D006940:Hyperemia; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009929:Organ Size; D011208:Powders; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D011208:Powders; D002104:Cadmium; D008668:Metallothionein