Bioavailability of iron and zinc from multiple micronutrient fortified beverage premixes in Caco-2 cell model

A Fluorometric Method for Zinc Estimation: Applications in the Estimation of Plasma Zinc and in Assessing Zinc Bioaccessibility from Rice

Sensitive and precise methods for the estimation of zinc (Zn) in biological fluids and foods are important tools in understanding the various aspects related to Zn nutrition. Estimation of serum/plasma Zn was suggested for assessing the population Zn status while assessing the bioaccessible Zn following simulated gastrointestinal digestion of crop varieties such as rice helps in ranking the crops. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are widely used for Zn estimation. Zinquin, a Zn fluorophore, has been used for the localization of cellular Zn and labile Zn pools in biological fluids with extremely high sensitivity. However, it was not tested for its use in Zn estimation in serum/plasma or in assessing the Zn bioaccessibility from foods. In the current study, we demonstrate a sensitive method for Zn estimation in human plasma and validate it against the reference method (AAS) by comparing the paired measurements on the same samples. The method-related bias between zinquin with AAS was negligible (0.48 µg/dL), and the precision (CV) of the assay was < 5% across different Zn concentrations. In addition, we also demonstrated the utility of zinquin assay in estimating the bioaccessibility of Zn from rice varieties and showed that the method is again comparable to AAS. The zinquin method is capable of discriminating the differences in zinc bioaccessibility between polished and unpolished rice varieties. In the context of required low plasma volume (100 µL Vs 400 µL), excellent comparability of the results with the reference method and analytical simplicity could be particularly useful.

Bioavailability of iron from novel hydrogen reduced iron powders: Studies in Caco-2 cells and rat model

The bioavailability of iron from elemental iron powders, including hydrogen reduced iron powder (HRIP), is influenced by particle size and surface area. In the present study, we investigated the solubility, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability of iron from novel HRIPs (particle size ≤25 and 38 µm generated at low [LT] and high [HT] temperature), with porous morphology and high surface area, in intestinal Caco-2 cells and in rat models. The acceptability of fortified wheat flour was tested in human volunteers. The iron solubility and ferritin induction in Caco-2 cells were significantly higher from wheat flour fortified with HRIPs compared to electrolytic iron powder (EIP, ≤45 µm size) either in the absence or presence of ascorbic acid. Nevertheless, ferritin induction in Caco-2 cells was significantly higher with FeSO₄ compared to HRIP or EIP. The relative biological value of HRIPs was significantly higher (≤38HT) or similar compared to EIP in rats. However, serum ferritin was significantly higher in rats fed HRIPs than EIP. Further, wheat flour fortified with HRIP was found to be acceptable for consumption. These findings demonstrate higher iron bioavailability from novel HRIPs compared to the reference EIP (≤45 µm) and merits further studies on toxicity and efficacy. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The use of elemental iron powders for food fortification to alleviate iron deficiency is limited due to its poor bioavailability. The novel hydrogen-reduced elemental iron powders used in this study had higher bioaccessibility and bioavailability compared to reference EIP (≤45 µm) in in vitro and in vivo models, respectively. Further, there were no sensory differences between roti prepared with fortified or unfortified wheat flour. These results suggest that the novel hydrogen reduced elemental iron powders used in the present study are suitable for wheat flour fortification.

Retention, stability, iron bioavailability and sensory evaluation of extruded rice fortified with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12

Fortification of rice with micronutrients using extrusion technology is considered a sustainable strategy to prevent nutritional deficiencies in general population. The objective of the present study is to assess the retention, stability and iron bioavailability from indigenously developed triple fortified rice (iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 ) during rinsing and different cooking methods. Further, we also assessed the acceptability of fortified rice in adult human volunteers. The retention of iron during rinsing with excess water was ≥90%, whereas folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were reduced by ~25% during rinsing. Watertight cooking of rice (in electric cooker or on flame) had no additional effect on the nutrient levels as compared with rinsed rice, implying their stability during cooking. However, cooking with excess water followed by decanting led to loss of 45% iron and ≥70% folic acid and vitamin B12 . The dialyzable iron and ferritin synthesis in Caco-2 cells was significantly (P < .01) higher from fortified rice compared with unfortified rice. In addition, inclusion of ascorbic acid significantly (P < .01) increased the iron bioavailability from the fortified rice. Triangle tests in adult human subjects revealed that there are no significant sensory differences among fortified and unfortified rice. Further, fortified rice consumption appears to bridge the gaps in dietary iron intake deficits in children and women of reproductive age. These results suggest that the iron-, folic acid- and vitamin B12 -fortified rice has higher retention and stability of fortified nutrients and is acceptable for consumption in adult human volunteers.

Biological Application of a Fluorescent Zinc Sensing Probe for the Analysis of Zinc Bioavailability Using Caco-2 Cells as an In-Vitro Cellular Model

Zinc is essential for growth and development of all living organisms, especially human being. Deficiency of micronutrients like zinc and iron has been linked to the manifestation of hidden hunger. Therefore, it is imperative that development of some rapid screening method for bioavailable zinc in various crops and food commodities would be an essential addition in battle against zinc deficiency related hidden hunger. One such method could be the usage of fluorescence based zinc ion sensing probe which would be robust and convenient for estimating bioavailable zinc. To address this issue, NBD-TPEA, a highly sensitive zinc ion sensing probe, have been used in this study towards the development of a novel fluorescence based approach for the analysis of zinc bioavailability in Caco-2 cells as an in-vitro cellular model. The use of this probe showed dose dependent sensitivity towards increasing concentrations of zinc ion uptake by Caco-2 cells. It also showed specificity for zinc ion uptake as compared to other metal ions in-vitro. These observations correlated extremely well with zinc uptake analysis by cell imaging and conventional analytical technique like, ICP-MS. The developed assay was then tested in mushroom and some selected biofortified derivatives of wheat for determining the levels of their bioavailable zinc using Caco-2 cells. The data as obtained with these food samples in our developed bioassay correlated well with the other sophisticated analytical techniques thus validating our cell based assay. Hence, the developed assay could serve as a simple but sensitive tool for determining bioavailable zinc in various food samples.

Application of cold atmospheric pressure plasmas for high-throughput production of safe-to-consume beetroot juice with improved nutritional quality

A one-step, highly-efficiency, and low-cost cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP)-based method for obtaining safe-to-consume beetroot juice (BRJ) with enhanced nutritional quality is presented. Three reaction-discharge systems with different CAPPs were studied to check how the composition and physicochemical properties changed during CAPP treatment of BRJ. To identify reactive species occur in gas phase of applied CAPP for BRJ treatment, optical emission spectrometry was used. Finally, the cytotoxicity of so-obtained BRJ to human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and human non-malignant intestine microvascular endothelial cells (HIMEC) was assessed. Based on the performed analyses it was found that controlled CAPP treatment of BRJ changes the fraction pattern of elements in addition to increase the content of phenolic compound presents in BRJ. Furthermore, the defined CAPP treatment of BRJ inhibits proliferation of Caco-2 cell lines, exhibiting non-cytotoxic effect for HIMEC non-malignant endothelial cells. As a result, safe-to-consume BRJ of improved nutritional quality was produced.

Food fortification with multiple micronutrients: impact on health outcomes in general population

BACKGROUND

Vitamins and minerals are essential for growth and maintenance of a healthy body, and have a role in the functioning of almost every organ. Multiple interventions have been designed to improve micronutrient deficiency, and food fortification is one of them.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of food fortification with multiple micronutrients on health outcomes in the general population, including men, women and children.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched electronic databases up to 29 August 2018, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group Specialised Register and Cochrane Public Health Specialised Register; MEDLINE; Embase, and 20 other databases, including clinical trial registries. There were no date or language restrictions. We checked reference lists of included studies and relevant systematic reviews for additional papers to be considered for inclusion.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs, quasi-randomised trials, controlled before-after (CBA) studies and interrupted time series (ITS) studies that assessed the impact of food fortification with multiple micronutrients (MMNs). Primary outcomes included anaemia, micronutrient deficiencies, anthropometric measures, morbidity, all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality. Secondary outcomes included potential adverse outcomes, serum concentration of specific micronutrients, serum haemoglobin levels and neurodevelopmental and cognitive outcomes. We included food fortification studies from both high-income and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened, extracted and quality-appraised the data from eligible studies. We carried out statistical analysis using Review Manager 5 software. We used random-effects meta-analysis for combining data, as the characteristics of study participants and interventions differed significantly. We set out the main findings of the review in 'Summary of findings' tables, using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 127 studies as relevant through title/abstract screening, and included 43 studies (48 papers) with 19,585 participants (17,878 children) in the review. All the included studies except three compared MMN fortification with placebo/no intervention. Two studies compared MMN fortification versus iodised salt and one study compared MMN fortification versus calcium fortification alone. Thirty-six studies targeted children; 20 studies were conducted in LMICs. Food vehicles used included staple foods, such as rice and flour; dairy products, including milk and yogurt; non-dairy beverages; biscuits; spreads; and salt. Fourteen of the studies were fully commercially funded, 13 had partial-commercial funding, 14 had non-commercial funding and two studies did not specify the source of funding. We rated all the evidence as of low to very low quality due to study limitations, imprecision, high heterogeneity and small sample size. When compared with placebo/no intervention, MMN fortification may reduce anaemia by 32% (risk ratio (RR) 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56 to 0.84; 11 studies, 3746 participants; low-quality evidence), iron deficiency anaemia by 72% (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.39; 6 studies, 2189 participants; low-quality evidence), iron deficiency by 56% (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.60; 11 studies, 3289 participants; low-quality evidence); vitamin A deficiency by 58% (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.62; 6 studies, 1482 participants; low-quality evidence), vitamin B2 deficiency by 64% (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.68; 1 study, 296 participants; low-quality evidence), vitamin B6 deficiency by 91% (RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.38; 2 studies, 301 participants; low-quality evidence), vitamin B12 deficiency by 58% (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.71; 3 studies, 728 participants; low-quality evidence), weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) (mean difference (MD) 0.1, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.17; 8 studies, 2889 participants; low-quality evidence) and weight-for-height/length z-score (WHZ/WLZ) (MD 0.1, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.18; 6 studies, 1758 participants; low-quality evidence). We are uncertain about the effect of MMN fortification on zinc deficiency (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.08; 5 studies, 1490 participants; low-quality evidence) and height/length-for-age z-score (HAZ/LAZ) (MD 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.18; 8 studies, 2889 participants; low-quality evidence). Most of the studies in this comparison were conducted in children. Subgroup analyses of funding sources (commercial versus non-commercial) and duration of intervention did not demonstrate any difference in effects, although this was a relatively small number of studies and the possible association between commercial funding and increased effect estimates has been demonstrated in the wider health literature. We could not conduct subgroup analysis by food vehicle and funding; since there were too few studies in each subgroup to draw any meaningful conclusions. When we compared MMNs versus iodised salt, we are uncertain about the effect of MMN fortification on anaemia (R 0.86, 95% CI 0.37 to 2.01; 1 study, 88 participants; very low-quality evidence), iron deficiency anaemia (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.83; 2 studies, 245 participants; very low-quality evidence), iron deficiency (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.17; 1 study, 88 participants; very low-quality evidence) and vitamin A deficiency (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.55; 2 studies, 363 participants; very low-quality evidence). Both of the studies were conducted in children. Only one study conducted in children compared MMN fortification versus calcium fortification. None of the primary outcomes were reported in the study. None of the included studies reported on morbidity, adverse events, all-cause or cause-specific mortality.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence from this review suggests that MMN fortification when compared to placebo/no intervention may reduce anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies (iron, vitamin A, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6). We are uncertain of the effect of MMN fortification on anthropometric measures (HAZ/LAZ, WAZ and WHZ/WLZ). There are no data to suggest possible adverse effects of MMN fortification, and we could not draw reliable conclusions from various subgroup analyses due to a limited number of studies in each subgroup. We remain cautious about the level of commercial funding in this field, and the possibility that this may be associated with higher effect estimates, although subgroup analysis in this review did not demonstrate any impact of commercial funding. These findings are subject to study limitations, imprecision, high heterogeneity and small sample sizes, and we rated most of the evidence low to very low quality. and hence no concrete conclusions could be drawn from the findings of this review.

Bioavailability of nanotechnology-based bioactives and nutraceuticals

Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of some hydrophobic bioactives (e.g., carotenoids, polyphenols, fat-soluble vitamins, phytosterols and fatty acids) are limited due to their low water solubility, and in some instances low chemical stability. Nanotechnology involving nanometric (r<500nm) delivery systems, can be used to improve the solubility and thus enhance the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of hydrophobic compounds. Nanometric delivery systems, derived from food grade phospholipids and biopolymers adopt many forms, including liposomes, micelles, micro/nanoemulsions, particles, polyelectrolyte complexes, and hydrogels. The small particle sizes and customized materials used to create delivery systems confer their unique properties such as higher stability and/or resistance to enzymatic activity in the gastrointestinal tract. This chapter provides an overview of bioaccessibility and bioavailability of different classes of hydrophobic bioactive compounds, focusing on nanometric delivery systems and methods of evaluation.

Bioavailable Iron and Vitamin A in Newly Formulated, Extruded Corn, Soybean, Sorghum, and Cowpea Fortified-Blended Foods in the In Vitro Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Model

BACKGROUND

Fortified-blended foods (FBFs), particularly corn-soybean blend (CSB), are food aid products distributed in developing countries. The US Agency for International Development food aid quality review recommended developing extruded FBFs with the use of alternative commodities such as sorghum.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine bioavailable iron and vitamin A content from newly developed extruded corn, soybean, sorghum, and cowpea FBFs compared with the nonextruded traditional food aid FBFs, corn-soy blend 13 (CSB13) and corn-soy blend plus (CSB+).

METHODS

Eleven extruded FBFs-sorghum-cowpea (n = 7), sorghum-soy (n = 3), and corn-soy (n = 1)-along with 2 nonextruded FBFs-CSB13 and CSB+, and Cerelac (Nestlé), a commercially available fortified infant food, were prepared. Bioavailable iron and vitamin A contents were assessed by using the in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model. Dry FBFs, aqueous fractions, and Caco-2 cell pellet vitamin A contents were analyzed by HPLC. Dry FBF and aqueous fraction iron contents were measured by atomic absorptiometry, and bioavailable iron was assessed by measuring Caco-2 ferritin contents via ELISA.

RESULTS

Iron and vitamin A concentrations in Cerelac and dry FBFs ranged from 8.0 to 31.8 mg/100 g and 0.3 to 1.67 mg/100 g, respectively. All of the extruded FBFs contained 4- to 7-fold significantly higher (P < 0.05) aqueous fraction iron concentrations compared with CSB13 and CSB+. However, there were no significant differences in Caco-2 cell ferritin and vitamin A concentrations between extruded FBFs, nonextruded FBFs, and or the basal salt solution negative control.

CONCLUSION

Results support the theory that the consumption of newly developed extruded sorghum-cowpea, sorghum-soy, and corn-soy FBFs would result in iron and vitamin A concentrations comparable to traditional nonextruded CSB13 and CSB+ FBFs.

Parallel mRNA, proteomics and miRNA expression analysis in cell line models of the intestine

AIM

To identify miRNA-regulated proteins differentially expressed between Caco2 and HT-29: two principal cell line models of the intestine.

METHODS

Exponentially growing Caco-2 and HT-29 cells were harvested and prepared for mRNA, miRNA and proteomic profiling. mRNA microarray profiling analysis was carried out using the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Gene 1.0 ST array. miRNA microarray profiling analysis was carried out using the Affymetrix Genechip miRNA 3.0 array. Quantitative Label-free LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis was performed using a Dionex Ultimate 3000 RSLCnano system coupled to a hybrid linear ion trap/Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Peptide identities were validated in Proteome Discoverer 2.1 and were subsequently imported into Progenesis QI software for further analysis. Hierarchical cluster analysis for all three parallel datasets (miRNA, proteomics, mRNA) was conducted in the R software environment using the Euclidean distance measure and Ward's clustering algorithm. The prediction of miRNA and oppositely correlated protein/mRNA interactions was performed using TargetScan 6.1. GO biological process, molecular function and cellular component enrichment analysis was carried out for the DE miRNA, protein and mRNA lists via the Pathway Studio 11.3 Web interface using their Mammalian database.

RESULTS

Differential expression (DE) profiling comparing the intestinal cell lines HT-29 and Caco-2 identified 1795 Genes, 168 Proteins and 160 miRNAs as DE between the two cell lines. At the gene level, 1084 genes were upregulated and 711 were downregulated in the Caco-2 cell line relative to the HT-29 cell line. At the protein level, 57 proteins were found to be upregulated and 111 downregulated in the Caco-2 cell line relative to the HT-29 cell line. Finally, at the miRNAs level, 104 were upregulated and 56 downregulated in the Caco-2 cell line relative to the HT-29 cell line. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the DE mRNA identified cell adhesion, migration and ECM organization, cellular lipid and cholesterol metabolic processes, small molecule transport and a range of responses to external stimuli, while similar analysis of the DE protein list identified gene expression/transcription, epigenetic mechanisms, DNA replication, differentiation and translation ontology categories. The DE protein and gene lists were found to share 15 biological processes including for example epithelial cell differentiation [P value ≤ 1.81613E-08 (protein list); P ≤ 0.000434311 (gene list)] and actin filament bundle assembly [P value ≤ 0.001582797 (protein list); P ≤ 0.002733714 (gene list)]. Analysis was conducted on the three data streams acquired in parallel to identify targets undergoing potential miRNA translational repression identified 34 proteins, whose respective mRNAs were detected but no change in expression was observed. Of these 34 proteins, 27 proteins downregulated in the Caco-2 cell line relative to the HT-29 cell line and predicted to be targeted by 19 unique anti-correlated/upregulated microRNAs and 7 proteins upregulated in the Caco-2 cell line relative to the HT-29 cell line and predicted to be targeted by 15 unique anti-correlated/downregulated microRNAs.

CONCLUSION

This first study providing "tri-omics" analysis of the principal intestinal cell line models Caco-2 and HT-29 has identified 34 proteins potentially undergoing miRNA translational repression.

Evaluation of iron transport from ferrous glycinate liposomes using Caco-2 cell model

Background

Iron fortification of foods is currently a strategy employed to fight iron deficiency in countries. Liposomes were assumed to be a potential carrier of iron supplements.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the iron transport from ferrous glycinate liposomes, and to estimate the effects of liposomal carriers, phytic acid, zinc and particle size on iron transport using Caco-2 cell models.

Methods

Caco-2 cells were cultured and seeded in DMEM medium. Minimum essential medium was added to the basolateral side. Iron liposome suspensions were added to the apical side of the transwell.

Results

The iron transport from ferrous glycinate liposomes was significantly higher than that from ferrous glycinate. In the presence of phytic acid or zinc ion, iron transport from ferrous glycinate liposomes and ferrous glycinate was evidently inhibited, and iron transport decreased with increasing phytic acid concentration. Iron transport was decreased with increase of particle size increasing of ferrous glycinate liposome.

Conclusion

Liposomes could behave as more than a simple carrier, and iron transport from liposomes could be implemented via a mechanism different from the regulated non-heme iron pathway.

Encapsulation of sesamol in phosphatidyl choline micelles: Enhanced bioavailability and anti-inflammatory activity

Sesamol, the phenolic degradation product of sesamolin, although recognised for its anti-inflammatory effects, has low bioavailability. In this manuscript, we attempted to improve its bioavailability by encapsulation in mixed phosphatidylcholine micelles. Sesamol could be solubilised and entrapped in phosphatidylcholine mixed micelles (PCS) with 96.8% efficiency (particle size 3.0±0.06nm). Fluorescence spectra of PCS revealed lower relative fluorescence intensity (RFI 112) compared to 'free' sesamol (FS) (RFI 271). The bioaccessibility, transport across a monolayer of cells and cellular uptake of PCS was 8.58%, 1.5-fold and 1.2-fold better, respectively, compared to FS. The anti-inflammatory effects of FS and PCS were compared using LPS treated RAW 264.7 cell line and lipoxygenase inhibition. PCS effected downregulation of iNOS protein expression (27%), NO production (20%), ROS (32%) and lipoxygenase inhibition (IC₅₀=31.24μM) compared to FS.

Sugars increase non-heme iron bioavailability in human epithelial intestinal and liver cells

Previous studies have suggested that sugars enhance iron bioavailability, possibly through either chelation or altering the oxidation state of the metal, however, results have been inconclusive. Sugar intake in the last 20 years has increased dramatically, and iron status disorders are significant public health problems worldwide; therefore understanding the nutritional implications of iron-sugar interactions is particularly relevant. In this study we measured the effects of sugars on non-heme iron bioavailability in human intestinal Caco-2 cells and HepG2 hepatoma cells using ferritin formation as a surrogate marker for iron uptake. The effect of sugars on iron oxidation state was examined by measuring ferrous iron formation in different sugar-iron solutions with a ferrozine-based assay. Fructose significantly increased iron-induced ferritin formation in both Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. In addition, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS-55) increased Caco-2 cell iron-induced ferritin; these effects were negated by the addition of either tannic acid or phytic acid. Fructose combined with FeCl3 increased ferrozine-chelatable ferrous iron levels by approximately 300%. In conclusion, fructose increases iron bioavailability in human intestinal Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. Given the large amount of simple and rapidly digestible sugars in the modern diet their effects on iron bioavailability may have important patho-physiological consequences. Further studies are warranted to characterize these interactions.

Dissecting plant iron homeostasis under short and long-term iron fluctuations

A wealth of information on the different aspects of iron homeostasis in plants has been obtained during the last decade. However, there is no clear road-map integrating the relationships between the various components. The principal aim of the current review is to fill this gap. In this context we discuss the lack of low affinity iron uptake mechanisms in plants, the utilization of a different uptake mechanism by graminaceous plants compared to the others, as well as the roles of riboflavin, ferritin isoforms, nitric oxide, nitrosylation, heme, aconitase, and vacuolar pH. Cross-homeostasis between elements is also considered, with a specific emphasis on the relationship between iron homeostasis and phosphorus and copper deficiencies. As the environment is a crucial parameter for modulating plant responses, we also highlight how diurnal fluctuations govern iron metabolism. Evolutionary aspects of iron homeostasis have so far attracted little attention. Looking into the past can inform us on how long-term oxygen and iron-availability fluctuations have influenced the evolution of iron uptake mechanisms. Finally, we evaluate to what extent this homeostastic road map can be used for the development of novel biofortification strategies in order to alleviate iron deficiency in human.

The hepatoprotective potential of Spirulina and vitamin C supplemention in cisplatin toxicity

Spirulina platensis is a microalgae with potent dietary phyto-antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. We investigated the mechanism of cisplatin induced hepatotoxicity and whether this natural antioxidant provided protection against cisplatin hepatotoxicity. The study was carried out in a mice model where the animals were segregated into different groups according to their treatments, e.g. control group with no treatment, cisplatin treated, cisplatin + Spirulina treated, cisplatin + vitamin C treated and cisplatin + Spirulina + vitamin C treated. The liver marker enzymes were found to be elevated following cisplatin treatment, signifying hepatotoxicity. The supplementation of Spirulina and vitamin C could effectively bring down the levels of these enzymes. Light microscopy also showed that cisplatin treatment induced liver injury and that histopathological abnormalities were prevented by Spirulina and vitamin C supplementation. This protective effect was further substantiated by the estimation of antioxidant levels and extent of lipid peroxidation in the Spirulina, vitamin C and Spirulina + vitamin C supplemented groups as compared to cisplatin alone.