Credentials of Spirulina diet on stability and flux related properties on the biomineralization process during oxalate mediated renal calcification in rats.

BACKGROUND

High Spirulina diet is a potential risk factor for nephrolithiasis since it has the capacity to increase urinary oxalate and uric acid level, facilitating lithogenesis. Our aim was to identify the effect of Spirulina diet during hyperoxaluric condition in Wistar albino rats.

METHODS

The animals were divided into four groups: control (Gl, n=6); ethylene glycol (EG) induced (G2, n=6); EG+Spirulina (G3, n=6); Spirulina alone (G4, n=6). EG at 0.75% was administered to G2 and G3 through drinking water for 4 weeks and Spirulina 1500 mg/kg feed was administered to G3 and G4.

RESULTS

Urinary parameters like oxalate, uric acid, calcium, urea, and creatinine (P<0.001) were found increased after Spirulina diet under hyperoxaluric conditions compared to the same without Spirulina diet. Similarly the BUN, plasma contents of uric acid, urea, creatinine (P<0.001) were found to be raised in G3. The renal and RBC GSH levels, as estimated by HPLC, seemed decreased when compared to G2.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that free radicals aid in the progression of nephrolithiasis. The crystal deposition was found to be high in the renal cells of G3 than G2 and TEM revealed damage in renal cell of G3 implying that the disease deteriorates by free radical injury. In contrast the Spirulina diet alone (G4) did not induce any features relating to stone forming condition suggesting that free radical release might have been suppressed due to enrichment of dietary antioxidants and vitamins. Thus the present investigation demonstrates that during hyperoxaluric conditions the Spirulina diet must possibly be avoided and can be considered in normal subjects checked for family history of renal stone deposition.