Phycobiliproteins or C-phycocyanin of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima protect against HgCl2-caused oxidative stress and renal damage

Our objective was to determine if the phycobiliproteins of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima protect renal cells against mercury-caused oxidative stress and cellular damage in the kidney. We used 40 male mice that were assigned into eight groups: (1) a control group that received 100 mM phosphate buffer (PB) ig and 0.9% saline ip, (2) PB + HgCl₂ (5 mg/kg ip), (3) PB plus phycobiliproteins (100 mg/kg ig), (4) PB plus C-phycocyanin (100 mg/kg ig), and four groups receiving HgCl₂ + phycobiliproteins or C-phycocyanin (50, and 100 mg/kg ig). The left kidneys were used to determine lipid peroxidation, quantification of reactive oxygen species, and reduced glutathione and oxidised content. The right kidneys were processed for histology. The HgCl₂ caused oxidative stress and cellular damage. All doses of phycobiliproteins or C-phycocyanin prevented enhancement of oxidative markers and they protected against HgCl₂-caused cellular damage.