THE POSSIBLE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF SPIRULINA AGAINST GENOTOXIC EFFECTS INDUCED BY IONIZING RADIATION IN MICE

Abstract

Spirulina is blue-green alga which is considered as the powerhouse of nutrition. It is a perfect safe food for the people of any age groups. Also low toxicity of spirulina (sp) is the greatest advantage. It considered as richest source of beta-carotene and it has 18 amino acids. Male mice were divided into six groups under investigation, each of six animals. Control group, two spirulina groups which received intraperitoneal injection of spirulina (200 & 400 mg kg-1) for two weeks, irradiated group (4 Gy γ-rays) and two irradiated & spirulina groups which received the same doses of spirulina for the same period before 4 Gy γ-rays exposure. Cytogenetic analysis, DNA fragmentation, sperm abnormalities, lipid profile and whole body weights were investigated to evaluate the biological effects and the efficacy of spirulina as a protector against radiation hazards. A significant amelioration of chromosomal aberrations