Abstract
Objective: The protective effect of Spirulina platensis on the fetal liver of mice with acute fatty liver of pregnancy was investigated.
 Methods: Small female mice were divided into four groups: A control group with a standard diet, a high-fat diet to induce liver steatosis, a high-fat diet plus Spirulina, and a high-fat diet plus Simvastatin given through gavage to protect the liver against steatosis. After 2 months, the female mice became pregnant by polygamy method at the same time they were treated by different diets. On day 17, the fetuses were removed by C-section, and histological studies were carried out on their livers.
 Results: The results showed a significant decrease in liver steatosis in the group treated by Spirulina compared with the other groups (p<0.05). The fatty liver of pregnancy could lead to liver failure and death in both mother and fetus, and medications like Simvastatin that is used for the treatment of fatty liver are harmful to the fetus. However, Spirulina shows a positive effect on the treatment of both fetus and mother.
 Conclusions: The results of this study show that Spirulina is an effective medical supplement in the treatment of fatty liver of pregnancy.
Highlights
The liver is one of the most important organs in the body with an important role in detoxification, storage of glycogen, and metabolism of fats and carbohydrates
The results showed that serum bilirubin levels during pregnancy increased significantly in the Group (C−) compared with the other groups
The findings of the present study showed that Spirulina has a protective and beneficial effect on the fetal liver in Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) in mice
Summary
The liver is one of the most important organs in the body with an important role in detoxification, storage of glycogen, and metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. One of the most important and common diseases of the liver are the fatty liver which is divided into three types: Alcoholic fatty liver, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and fatty liver of pregnancy. The hepatocytes contain one bulky vacuole that displaces the nucleus. This type is mostly caused by obesity, diabetes, or alcohol abuse. The cytoplasm is occupied by several small fat vesicles, and the nucleus remains centrally placed. It usually results from mitochondrial β-oxidation defects, which are usually associated with toxins or metabolic disorders [1]
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