Effects of Aqueous Extract of Spirulina Plantesis on Immunologic Dysfunction and Inflammation Associated with Aflatoxin B1-Induced Toxicity in Mice
| dc.contributor.author | Kipkoech, Gilbert | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-09-27T08:45:40Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-09-27T08:45:40Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-06 | |
| dc.description | A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science (Biochemistry) in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University June, 2024 Supervisors: 1. Susan Musembi 2. David Mburu 3. Charles Mutai | |
| dc.description.abstract | Kenya is among African countries that face the burden of food contamination by aflatoxin. High levels of aflatoxins have been reported to kill 157 people in Kenya while also contributing to cancer burden. Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus and Aspergillus nomius. These toxins majorly affects cereal grains. This study aimed at bioprospecting Spirulina plantesis in ameliorating immune dysfunction and inflammation caused by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Spirulina plantesis have been consumed for decades as food supplement as it has been proven to have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Male BALB/c mice weighing 28 to 34 g were divided into six groups at random and given the following oral treatments: Group 1 was only provided with food and water during the treatment course. AFB1 was given orally to Group 2 at a dosage of 200µ g/kg body weight. AFB1 was administered orally to Group 3 an hour after receiving 1g/kg of activated charcoal. Groups 4, 5, and 6 each received 200µg/kg of AFB1 orally an hour after receiving Spirulina plantesis at doses of 50, 100, and 150mg/kg respectively. The mice were treated daily for 14 days. During the last day of the treatment schedule, mice were aseptically dissected and tissues isolated for immunological studies. The results indicate that intervention with spirulina at doses of 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg were enough to increase the body weight of mice significantly (p<0.05). It was also demonstrated the blood levels of interleukin 4 and interleukin 2 were not affected significantly when AFB1-induced mice are treated with spirulina extract (p>0.05). Interferon gamma (IFN- γ) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) blood levels were significantly lower in the group not treated with Aflatoxin b1 (p≤0.05). The findings also indicate that immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) serum levels were unaffected by treatment with spirulina extract at various dosages (p>0.05). In addition, TNF and IFN-γ mRNA expressions were also highly up regulated, while interleukin 4 (IL 4) was down-regulated. The results further show that the over-production of TNF and IFN due to Aflatoxin B1 is correctable upon spirulina treatment (p<0.05). To sum up, the results suggest that spirulina treatment can be an innovative approach to correcting the aflatoxin B1-mediated immune aberration and inflammation | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/28930 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Effects of Aqueous Extract of Spirulina Plantesis on Immunologic Dysfunction and Inflammation Associated with Aflatoxin B1-Induced Toxicity in Mice | |
| dc.type | Thesis |