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Arsenic-induced genotoxicity in Nile tilapia (Orechromis niloticus); the role of Spirulina platensis extract

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Abstract

Arsenic (As) is one of the most relevant environmental global single substance toxicants that have long been regarded as a carcinogenic and genotoxic potential. In this respect, we evaluated the cytogenetic effect of arsenic exposure in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), in terms of erythrocyte alteration, apoptosis, and induction of micronuclei. Spirulina platensis (SP) is a filamentous cyanobacterium microalgae with potent dietary phytoantioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancerous properties supplementation. The protective role of Spirulina as supplementary feeds was studied in Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) against arsenic-induced cytogenotoxicity. Four groups were assigned as control group (no SP or As), As group (exposed to water-born As in the form of NaAsO2 at 7 ppm), SP1 (SP at 7.5 % + As at the same level of exposure), and SP2 (SP at 10 % + As at the same level of exposure). As-treated group had a significant increase in all cytogenetic analyses including erythrocyte alteration, apoptosis, and induction of micronuclei after 2 weeks with continuous increase in response after 3 weeks. The combined treatment of Spirulina at two different concentrations of 7.5 and 10 % had significantly declined the induction of erythrocyte alteration, apoptosis, and micronuclei formation induced by arsenic intoxication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, 71516, Assiut, Egypt

    Alaa El-Din H. Sayed

  2. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt

    Heba Allah M. Elbaghdady

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt

    Eman Zahran

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  1. Alaa El-Din H. Sayed
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  2. Heba Allah M. Elbaghdady
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  3. Eman Zahran
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Correspondence to Alaa El-Din H. Sayed.

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All experiments were carried out in accordance with the Egyptian laws and University guidelines for the care of experimental animals. The protocol for this work was described in compliance with the guidelines of the ethical committee of Assiut University and Mansoura University.

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Sayed, A.ED.H., Elbaghdady, H.A.M. & Zahran, E. Arsenic-induced genotoxicity in Nile tilapia (Orechromis niloticus); the role of Spirulina platensis extract. Environ Monit Assess 187, 751 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4983-7

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