Effect of spirulina on hematological parameters in stressed rats

Stress consists of serial physiological and behavioral complex responses to reactions that occur in various states of the organism. Feeding plays a major role for homeostatic mechanism against stress. In this study, hematological responses of Spirulina platensis were investigated against to various stress models in rats. In addition, some morphological parameters such as body weight, height, body mass index and organ weights were evaluated to determine the importance of Spirulina supplementation against to stress. For this purpose, 36, male, Sprague Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were used. Water and feed were given ad-libitum. The rats were randomly separated into four groups: I: Control (C), II: Stress (S), III: S. platensis (Sp), IV: Stress+S. platensis (SpS), respectively. The S. platensis (Egert, İzmir- Türkiye) was given (1500mg/g/day) by oral gavage to Sp and SpS groups, 1 cc water was given to C and S groups by the same method throughout the 28 days (4weeks) of the trial. Lightning period was 12h light: 12h dark for the first two weeks. During the last two weeks, 16 h light: 8h dark cycle stress was exposed to all rats. In addition, S and SpS groups were exposed the crowded environment and hosting alone stress during last two weeks. At the end of the trial, there were significant differences in white blood cell count, neutrophils, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and sedimentation rate (p<0.05), although no significant difference was found in other parameters. The difference in blood values is thought to be based on the stress and healing properties of the contribution of Spirulina to stress. Nevertheless, although there were no differences in morphological parameters among all groups statistically, the positive effect of Spirulina on morphological values can be interpreted. As a consequence, it can be stated that S. platensis, that an exogenous antioxidant, can be effective against stress, but more deeper studies are needed.