The objective of this study was to investigate the modulatory effect of
Chlorella Vulgaris
on cultured
fibroblast cells derived from young and old aged individuals focusing on DNA damage, telomere length and
telomerase activity. Dose-response test of the algal extract on cells in both age groups revealed that optimum
viability was observed at a concentration of 50 μg/ml. Results obtained showed that
Chlorella vulgaris exhibited
protective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative stress as shown by the reduction in damaged DNA caused by H2O2
treatment (p<0.05) in
Chlorella vulgaris pre- and post-treated groups (p<0.05). Pre-treatment of
Chlorella vulgaris
resulted in a significant decrease in DNA damage suggesting a bioprotective effect against free radical attacks. A
decline in DNA damage was observed in post-treated cells which proves
Chlorella vulgaris to present
bioremediative properties. In cells induced with oxidative stress, telomere length decreased significantly coupled
with a concomitant decline of telomerase activity (p<0.05). However, these reductions were prevented with prior and
post treatment of
Chlorella vulgaris. Therefore, we concluded that
Chlorella vulgaris exhibited bioprotective effects
especially in cells obtained from young donor but were more bioremediative for cells obtained from old donor as
indicated by DNA damage, telomere shortening and reduction in telomerase activity.
