Cadmium (Cd), an element categorized as a non-essential transitional metal, has potential hazards to the health
of both human beings and animals. Spirulina platensis (SP), a type of blue-green algae, possesses a high concentration
of essential antioxidants. The present study aimed to explore the possible defensive role of SP against
Cd-induced submandibular gland injury in rats by assessment of biomarkers related to both oxidative stress and
inflammatory processes, which were further explored through histopathological examination of submandibular
gland tissue. Consequently, the study included 32 mature rats, subdivided into four different groups as follows:
control, SP, Cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and CdCl2/SP. The duration of the study was 24days. The results
revealed that CdCl2 induced submandibular gland injury as shown by the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and
increased inflammatory reactions, in addition to, histopathological changes and overexpression of BAX immunostaining.
Concurrent SP administration to CdCl2-treated rats significantly improved all these effects. We
concluded that concurrent SP supplement improved the submandibular gland injury provoked by CdCl2. |
