Pancreas-protective effects of chlorella in STZ-induced diabetic animal model: insights into the mechanism

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of intragastric administration of chlorella (1 g/kg body weight) for a period of 30 days to treat normal and diabetic male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg - 1 body weight). A significant (p < 0.05) reduction of blood glucose level in diabetic chlorella-treated rats was observed compared to diabetic untreated. Chlorella increased the number of glutathione-positive cell in diabetic rats compared to untreated diabetics. Chlorella administration increased the percentage of insulin secreting pancreatic beta cells both in normal and diabetic treated rats. Percentage of glucagon producing alpha cells of the pancreas were reduced both in normal and diabetic chlorella-treated rats. Chlorella-induced regenerative ability on pancreas was mediated by up-regulation of Ki67 and down-regulation of P53 and by its potent anti-oxidant ability. The present results suggest that chlorella may play an important role in improving the overall condition of diabetic patients and delay its complication by restoring the function of pancreatic insulin-secreting cells.