Spirulina platensis as Retinol Supplement for Protection Against Hexachlorocyclohexane Toxicity in Rats

Spirulina platensis, a cyanobacterium, was evaluated as a possible ameliorant of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-induced dietary toxicity in retinol deficient male albino rats by feeding 1000 ppm hexachlorocyclohexane mixed with diets free of vitamin A or supplemented with Spirulina at 0.0628 and 3.18% (2000 and 1,00,000 I.U. of vitamin A/ kg diet, respectively) for seven weeks. Growth rate was considerably reduced in rats fed with vitamin A-free diets with and without HCH, while the body weight gain increased at the end of the seven weeks in rats fed with alga supplemented diets, with or without HCH. Hepatic vitamin A stores of rats showed diet-related difference. Significant (p<0.05 and p<0.001) alterations were discernible in serum and liver enzymes, like glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase of rats fed with diets containing HCH, but without the alga. Such changes were not observed in rats fed with HCH diets supplemented with alga. The results are suggestive of the ameliorating effects of alga on the dietary toxicity of HCH in retinol deficient albino rats.