ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic effect of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in diabetic rats exposed to cadmium (Cd). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group 1 and 2 rats were treated as control and C. pyrenoidosa control. Group 3 and 4 rats were given single injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg b.w; i.p) followed by Cd (0.6 mg/kg b.w; s.c) for 5 days per week for a total period of 90 days. In addition, group 4 rats alone were treated with C. pyrenoidosa throughout the study period of 90 days. Assessments of plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profile and renal function markers were performed in control and experimental rats along with histological examination of kidney tissues. RESULTS: Diabetic rats exposed to Cd showed increased levels of plasma glucose and decreased levels of plasma insulin accompanied by the significantly elevated levels of tissue lipids viz., total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, and phospholipids compared with control rats. Alterations in lipoproteins (low density lipoprotein-C, very low density lipoprotein-C, and high density lipoprotein-C) levels were also observed. DISCUSSION: Elevated levels of urinary albumin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen confirmed the onset of renal dysfunction in unsupplemented diabetic rats exposed to Cd. CONCLUSION: C. pyrenoidosa (100 mg/kg body weight) supplemented diabetic nephropathic rats showed near normal biochemical profile and well preserved renal histology that substantiate the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and renoprotective effects of C. pyrenoidosa in diabetic rats exposed to Cd.
