Arsenic (As) is one of the most relevant environmental
global single substance toxicants that have
long been regarded as a carcinogenic and genotoxic
potential. In this respect, we evaluated the cytogenetic
effect of arsenic exposure in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis
niloticus), in terms of erythrocyte alteration, apoptosis,
and induction of micronuclei. Spirulina platensis (SP) is
a filamentous cyanobacterium microalgae with potent
dietary phytoantioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancerous
properties supplementation. The protective
role of Spirulina as supplementary feeds was studied
in Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) against arsenic-induced
cytogenotoxicity. Four groups were assigned as control
group (no SP or As), As group (exposed to water-born
As in the form of NaAsO2 at 7 ppm), SP1 (SP at 7.5%+
As at the same level of exposure), and SP2 (SP at 10%+
As at the same level of exposure). As-treated group had
a significant increase in all cytogenetic analyses including
erythrocyte alteration, apoptosis, and induction of
micronuclei after 2 weeks with continuous increase in
response after 3 weeks. The combined treatment of
Spirulina at two different concentrations of 7.5 and
10 % had significantly declined the induction of erythrocyte
alteration, apoptosis, and micronuclei formation
induced by arsenic intoxication.