Antioxidant and anti-cataract effects of Chlorella on rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The antioxidant activities of Chlorella in vitro and in vivo were investigated. Chlorella showed a strong antioxidant effect compared to various vegetables in a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-cataract effects in vivo, a 7.3% Chlorella powder was fed to rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes for 11 wk. At the end of the experiment, Chlorella had decreased the blood glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c) and serum cholesterol levels significantly, however, it had not affected the serum glucose concentration. The serum lipid peroxide value (TBARS value) in the rats fed Chlorella was lower than that of the control rats. In the liver and kidney, Chlorella also reduced chemiluminescent intensities. In addition, it delayed the development of lens opacities. The lens lipid peroxide content of the rats fed Chlorella was lower than that of the control rats, however the differences were not significant. These results indicate that Chlorella has antioxidant activity and may be beneficial for the prevention of diabetic complications such as cataracts.