Title:Evaluation of the Mitigation Effect of Spirulina Against Lung Injury
Induced by Radiation in Rats
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Author(s): Mohammad H. Ahmadvand, Safoora Nikzad*, Vahid Changizi, Abdolazim S. Pashaki, Masoud Najafi and Fatemeh Mirzaei
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences,
Hamadan, Iran
Keywords:
Spirulina, mitigation, radiation, oxidative stress, lung injury, radiation pneumonitis, fibrosis.
Abstract:
Background: Some compounds have been investigated to mitigate the effect of radiation
on the lung, such as pneumonitis and fibrosis.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the mitigation efficiency of Spirulina compared to the effect
of Metformin.
Methods: 25 male Wistar rats were allotted in five groups: control, Spirulina, Radiation, Radiation
plus Spirulina, and Radiation plus Metformin. Rat chest regions were irradiated by 15 Gray (Gy) xradiation
using aLINAC. Forty-eight hours after irradiation, treatment with Spirulina and Metformin
began. Eighty days after irradiation, all rats were sacrificed, and their lung tissues were removed for
histopathological, and biochemical assays.
Results: The results demonstrated that irradiation increased MDA (Malondialdehyde) levels while suppressing
the SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GPx(glutathione peroxidase) activity in the irradiated
group. MDA levels in lung tissues were reduced with Metformin but not with Spirulina. Both Metformin
and Spirulina increased the SOD and GPx activity in lung tissue. Moreover, histopathological evaluations
showed extensive changes in the lung tissue including infiltration of lymph cells around the bronchioles
and blood vessels, thickening of the alveolar wall, and the disruption of the alveolar structure, as well as
accumulation of collagen fibers. Administration of Spirulina and Metformin significantly reduced pathological
changes in lung tissue, although the effect of Metformin was greater than that of Spirulina.
Conclusion: Spirulina could mitigate radiation-induced lung injury moderately, although Metformin
is more effective than Spirulina as a mitigator agent.