Antioxidant Potential of ulva rigida c. Agardh Extract: Protection from Oxidative Stress Hypothyroidism

<p>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of <em>Ulva rigida</em><strong> </strong>C. Agardh, one of the green algae, on and antioxidative system in the propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroid rats. Thirty-two rats randomly divided into four groups: control (C), control+<em>U. rigida</em> extract (C+UR), hypothyroid (H) and hypothyroid+<em>U. rigida</em> extract (H+UR). <em>U. rigida</em> (2%) was administered in drinking water for 5 weeks after the induction of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroid rats were under oxidative stress as reflected by icreased plasma and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. <em>U. rigida </em>reduced serum total cholesterol and,- triglyceride levels and plasma and heart skeletal muscle, liver and,- kidney tissue MDA levels in the H+UR group. Serum total cholesterol and tissues MDA levels were reduced in the C+UR group. Whole blood glutathione peroxidase and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activities were increased in the H+UR and C+UR groups compared with those of te respective control groups. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were lower in the H group and <em>U. rigida</em> increased paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in C+UR and H+UR groups. We conclude that hypothyroidism is associated with oxidative stress and, <em>U. rigida</em> extract might have a potential use as a protective antioxidant agent in hypothroidism.