Evaluation of the ameliorative effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on parameters relating to lead poisoning and obesity in C57BL/6J mice

Abstract The current study aimed to validate the possible ameliorative effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on lead poisoning and obesity using C57BL/6J mice. After a treatment period, we performed metal analyses, as well as hematocrit and plasma biochemical parameter measurements, and assayed oxidative stress markers and erythrocyte δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity. Our results highlighted the effectiveness of Spirulina in improving anemia status with the normalization of hematocrit levels and ALAD activity ratios, even in mice that exhibited obesity in addition to lead poisoning. Spirulina treatment also decreased epididymal white adipose tissue weight and increased plasma high-density lipoprotein levels, which are normally reduced after lead exposure. However, most of the studied plasma biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers did not show large changes after treatment, likely because of the short duration of treatment. Further studies with longer-term exposures are required to validate the usefulness of Spirulina suggested in the present study.