Radioprotective Effect of Sodium Selenite on Developing Teeth

Radioprotective agents like selenium are used to reduce the damage caused by radiation in healthy tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium selenite on the development of the molars of offspring of rats irradiated during odontogenesis. Twenty pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, irradiated, selenium and selenium/irradiated. The selenium and selenium/irradiated groups received 0.3 mg/kg of sodium selenite at 18 days of pregnancy. The rats of the irradiated and selenium/irradiated groups received a single dose of 4 Gy of X rays on the abdominal region at the 19th day of pregnancy. The offspring was sacrificed at 3 and 4 days after birth for evaluation of the birefringence of the enamel organic matrix, and at 30 days for evaluation of the intercuspal dimensions of the molars. The selenium/irradiated group was similar to the irradiated group with respect to the thickness and irregularity of the enamel organic matrix region in the evaluated birefringence, as the intercuspal dimensions of the molars. In conclusion, sodium selenite had no radioprotective action on the development of the molars of offspring of rats irradiated during odontogenesis and had a toxic effect in the initial time.

Agentes radioprotetores, como o selênio, são utilizados para reduzir os danos causados pela radiação nos tecidos sadios. O objetivo nesse estudo foi avaliar o efeito do selenito de sódio no desenvolvimento de molares de filhotes de ratas irradiadas. Vinte ratas grávidas foram aleatoriamente divididas em 4 grupos: controle, irradiado, selênio e selênio/irradiado. Os animais dos grupos selênio e selênio/irradiado receberam 0.3 mg/kg de selenito de sódio aos 18 dias de gestação. Os animais dos grupos irradiado e selênio/irradiado receberam dose única de 4 Gy de radiação X na região abdominal aos 19 dias de gestação. Os filhotes foram sacrificados aos 3 e 4 dias após o nascimento para avaliação da birrefringência da matriz orgânica do esmalte, e aos 30 dias para avaliação das dimensões dos molares. Os resultados do grupo selênio/irradiado foram similares aos do irradiado, tanto em relação à espessura e irregularidade região da matriz orgânica do esmalte quanto às dimensões dos molares. Dessa forma, foi possível concluir que o selenito de sódio não exerceu ação radioprotetora no desenvolvimento de molares de filhotes de ratas irradiadas durante a odontogênese e apresentou efeito tóxico nos tempos iniciais.

Differentiation of human labia minora dermis-derived fibroblasts into insulin-producing cells

Recent evidence has suggested that human skin fibroblasts may represent a novel source of therapeutic stem cells. In this study, we report a 3-stage method to induce the differentiation of skin fibroblasts into insulin-producing cells (IPCs). In stage 1, we establish the isolation, expansion and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells from human labia minora dermis-derived fibroblasts (hLMDFs) (stage 1: MSC expansion). hLMDFs express the typical mesenchymal stem cell marker proteins and can differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes or muscle cells. In stage 2, DMEM/F12 serum-free medium with ITS mix (insulin, transferrin, and selenite) is used to induce differentiation of hLMDFs into endoderm-like cells, as determined by the expression of the endoderm markers Sox17, Foxa2, and PDX1 (stage 2: mesenchymal-endoderm transition). In stage 3, cells in the mesenchymal-endoderm transition stage are treated with nicotinamide in order to further differentiate into self-assembled, 3-dimensional islet cell-like clusters that express multiple genes related to pancreatic beta-cell development and function (stage 3: IPC). We also found that the transplantation of IPCs can normalize blood glucose levels and rescue glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. These results indicate that hLMDFs have the capacity to differentiate into functionally competent IPCs and represent a potential cell-based treatment for diabetes mellitus.

Effect of sodium selenite on bone repair in tibiae of irradiated rats

This study evaluated the radioprotective effect of sodium selenite on the bone repair process in tibiae of female rats. For such purpose, 100 female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus, albinus) were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=25), according to the treatment received: administration of distilled water (control); administration of sodium selenite; gamma radiation; and administration of sodium selenite plus gamma radiation. A bone defect was prepared on both tibiae of all animals. Three days after surgery, the gamma radiation and selenium/gamma radiation groups received 8 Gy gamma rays on the lower limbs. Five animals per group were sacrificed 7, 14, 21, 28 days after surgery for evaluation of the repair process by bone volumetric density analysis. The 5 animals remaining in each group were sacrificed 45 days postoperatively for examination of the mature bone by scanning electron microscopy. Based on all analyzed parameters, the results of the present study suggest that sodium selenite exerted a radioprotective effect in the bone repair of tibia of irradiated rats.

Este estudo avaliou o efeito radioprotetor de selenito de sódio no processo de reparação óssea em tíbias de ratas. Para isto, 100 ratas Wistar (Rattus norvegicus, albinus) foram aleatoriamente divididas em 4 grupos (n=25), de acordo com o tratamento recebido: administração de água destilada (controle); administração de selenito de sódio; irradiação gama; e administração de selenito de sódio mais irradiação gama. Um defeito ósseo foi realizado em ambas as tíbias de todos os animais. Três dias após a cirurgia, apenas os animais dos grupos irradiado e selênio/irradiado receberam 8 Gy de radiação gama na região dos membros inferiores. Cinco animais por grupo foram sacrificados 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias após a cirurgia para avaliação do processo de reparo ósseo pela análise da densidade óssea volumétrica. Os cinco animais remanescentes em cada grupo foram sacrificados aos 45 dias do pós-operatório para avaliação da maturação óssea por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Baseado em todos os parâmetros analisados, os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que o selenito de sódio exerceu efeito radioprotetor no reparo ósseo de tíbias de ratas irradiados.

Protective role of sodium selenite on cisplatin induced oxidative and renal stress

Cisplatin is one of the most commonly used antineoplastic agents. Free oxygen radicals are known to play a major role in cisplatin induced renal and oxidative stress. Sodium selenite as an exogenous source of selenium is used for endogenous selenoprotein synthesis to scavenge the free radicals. The study was designed to investigate the possible protective role of sodium selenite in cisplatin induced renal stress, by using biochemical approaches. Adult male Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received distilled water; sodium selenite group received only sodium selenite [1 mg / kg]; cisplatin group received only cisplatin [3 mg / kg]; cisplatin+ sodium selenite group received sodium selenite [1 mg / kg] for 5 alternate days before cisplatin [3 mg / kg] administration. The effects of sodium selenite on cisplatin-induced oxidative and renal stress were evaluated by plasma creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde, nitrate; kidney tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Administration of cisplatin induced significant increases in plasma creatinine, urea and nitrate concentrations showing renal stress. Cisplatin also induced oxidative stress, as indicated by increased kidney tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde, and reduced activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Furthermore, treatment with cisplatin caused a marked elevation of kidney weight and decreased body weight. Sodium selenite pretreatment markedly reduced elevated plasma creatinine, urea and nitrate levels and counteracted the deleterious effects of cisplatin on oxidative stress markers. These results indicate that the sodium selenite might have a protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat

Effect of monothiol along with antioxidant against mercury-induced oxidative stress in rat.

Efficacy of thiol chelators viz. N-acetyl cysteine and D-penicillamine (NAC and DPA) along with nutritional supplements viz. zinc acetate, sodium selenite and magnesium sulphate (Zn, Se and Mg) in the treatment of mercury intoxication was investigated in rats. This is of particular interest since high bonding affinity between mercuric ion and the thiol group exits. The mutual antagonism of mercury and selenium is one of the strongest examples of the interaction in the trace element field. Adult rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were administered a bolus dose of dimethyl mercury (10 mg/kg) orally. A significant rise in the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, serum alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase, bilirubin and creatinine were observed. Single mercury exposure also resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxides with a concomitant decrease in reduced glutathione level in liver, kidney and brain. A decrease in the enzymatic activities of acetyl cholinesterase in different regions of the brain was observed. These parameters were restored considerably with chelating agents along with nutritional supplementation, but NAC+Se and DPA+Mg offered significant protection in comparison with other combinations.

Effect of electroacupuncture to prevent selenite-induced cataract in Wistar rats

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da eletro-acupuntura na prevenção da catarata induzida por selenito de sódio em modelo experimental. MÉTODO: Cinqüenta filhotes de ratos Wistar foram randomizados em 5 grupos: no Grupo 1 (Controle, n=10) nenhum procedimento foi realizado. Grupo 2 (Selenito, n=10), selenito de sódio (30 µmoles/kg) foi injetado por via subcutânea no décimo dia de vida. No Grupo 3 (Anestesia, n=10), filhotes receberam a mesma dose de selenito e sofreram anestesia inalatória com éter etílico durante 10 minutos diariamente por 1 semana. Grupo 4 (eletro-acupuntura, n=10), os animais sofreram os mesmos procedimentos do Grupo 3, porém também receberam eletro-acupuntura (2 Hz, 50 mA) aplicada nos pontos Neiguan (PC 6) e Guangming (GB37) durante o período de anestesia. Grupo 5 (Sham, n=10), os ratos foram submetidos aos mesmos procedimentos que o Grupo 4, porém as agulhas foram aplicadas em pontos falsos. O desenvolvimento da catarata foi avaliado após uma semana por lâmpada de fenda. RESULTADOS: Todos os animais controles (Grupo 1) não desenvolveram catarata. Todos os ratos dos grupos 2, 3 e 5 desenvolveram catarata grave. No Grupo 4 (eletro-acupuntura), 45% dos olhos não desenvolveram catarata e trinta por cento desenvolveram catarata menos grave que aos Grupos 2, 3 e 5. A diferença entre os grupos foi estatisticamente significante (p<0,001). A média do grau de opacificação do cristalino nos Grupos 1 e 4 foi mais baixo que nos Grupos 2, 3 e 5 (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Eletro-acupuntura diminuiu a taxa de formação de catarata induzida por selenito em filhotes de ratos quando as agulhas foram aplicadas em pontos de acupuntura específicos.