The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective and anti-inflammatory effect of spirulina platensis (SPP) and or melatonin (MEL) against sodium fluoride (NaF) toxicity induced brain injury and oxidative stress in rats. Seventy male albino rats were divided into five main equal groups. Group I (control): rats administered distilled water. Group II (sodium fluoride exposed group): rats received 1/20th of LD50 of sodium fluoride orally (2.5 mg/kg b.wt/day) over a period of 8 weeks. Group III (sodium fluoride + SPP treated group): rats received sodium fluoride (2.5 mg/kg b.wt) and treated with SPP (300 mg/kg b.wt/day/orally). Group IV( sodium fluoride + MEL treated group): rats received sodium fluoride (2.5 mg/kg b.wt) and treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg b.wt/day/orally). Group V( sodium fluoride +SPP + MEL treated group): rats received sodium fluoride (2.5 mg/kg b.wt) and treated with SPP (300 mg/kg b.wt) and MEL(10 mg/kg b.wt). The obtained results showed significant increase in serum liver marker enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) activities, kidney function tests (creatinine and urea), pro-inflammatory cytokines ( TNF-α and IL-6) and brain tissue MDA levels in sodium fluoride exposed rats. However, brain tissue antioxidant enzymes (SOD,CAT and GPX) and GSH concentration were markedly decreased. Administration of spirulina and or melatonin with NaF exposed rats caused significant improvement of all previous parameters towards its normal ranges with best results obtained in combined (SPP+MEL) treated group. These results suggested that, SPP or MEL treatment may have a protective effect against sodium fluoride toxicity induced brain injury and oxidative stress in rats via free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity as well as regenerating endogenous antioxidant defense system mechanisms. |
