Protective effect of selenium against the thallium or mercury-induced oxidative stress in rats

ABSTRACT

In the present study, the possible protective effect of sodium selenite [250. microg/kg] against thallium nitrate [3 mg/kg] and mercuric acetate [1.5 mg/kg] induced oxidative stress was studied in rats. The measured parameters were lipid peroxides [measured as MDA] and lactate dehydrogenase activity [LDH] in serum, liver and kidney. The effects of thallium nitrate and mercuric acetate as well as the combination of each of them with sodium selenite were determined on the aforementioned parameters. Results of the present study showed that thallium nitrate as well as mercuric acetate significantly increased lipid peroxides in serum, liver and kidney. Administration of sodium selenite together with thallium nitrate or mercuric acetate resulted in significant decrease in lipid peroxides in serum, liver and kidney thus exerting significant protection against thallium and mercury-induced oxidative stress Thallium nitrate significantly elevated lactate dehydrogenase activity [LDH] in serum, liver and kidney while mercuric acetate significantly, elevated LDH activity only in serum and liver. Sodium selenite significantly antagonized the effect of thallium and mercury and protected against their toxicity. It could be concluded that sodium selenite can effectively protect against thallium and mercury- induced oxidative stress