Chlorella vulgaris May Excrete Dioxin-like PCB-138,-153 via Urine of Rats

Abstract

The effect of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on the urinary excretion of di-ortho PCB congeners (PCB-138, -153) was investigated. Sprague-Dawley rats (6-weeks-old, n=10 rats/group) were randomly divided into one control (OCV) or 2% CV (2CV) or 5% CV (5CV) or 10% CV (1 OCV) groups, respectively. Composition of normal and chlorella. meal-based diet were made up of 30% casein, 15% cornstarch, 50% sucrose, 5% cellulose, 5% coconut oil, 3.5% mineral mixture, 1 % vitamin mixture. All rats had free access to water and diet for 4 weeks. A significant increase in both PCB 138 and 153 in urinary level was detected in CV fed groups, 540% and 167% for 2CV, 155% and 89% for 5CV, 114% and 144% for 10CV group, respectively, when compared with their controls. These findings suggest that CV may have potential to eliminate body burden levels of dioxin-like PCB compounds.