Effect of chlorella supplementation on cadmium metabolism in rats.

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of chlorella on cadmium metabolism in cadmium (Cd) – administrated rats. Sixty Sprague‐Dawley rats (14week‐old) were blocked into 6 groups and fed experimental diets containing different levels of chlorella (0, 3, 5%) and Cd (0 ppm and 160 ppm ) for 10 wks. Cadmium concentrations in blood, liver, kidney, small intestine and feces were measured. Cd concentrations in blood and organ tissues of Cd‐exposed groups were significantly higher than those of Cd‐free groups. However, chlorella intake significantly decreased Cd concentrations in blood and kidney, especially animals fed 5% chlorella diet. Fecal excretion of Cd was highest in 3% chlorella group among Cd‐exposed animals and Cd‐exposed groups excreted significantly higher Cd than Cd‐free groups. The results suggest that chlorella intake decreased Cd concentrations in blood and organ tissues through increasing fecal Cd excretion. *This work was supported by the grants from Daesang.Co.Ltd. and the second stage of Brain Korea 21 project in 2007.