Abstract
Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are fast becoming a key instrument in several applications such as medicine or nutrition. Questions have been raised about the safety of their use. Male rats were fed for 28 days on a monodiet containing 0.5, 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 mg Se/kg. Se content in blood and liver, liver panel tests, blood glucose, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were analysed. Liver and duodenum were subjected to histopathology examination. The weight gain of rats showed no differences between tested groups. Se content in blood was higher in all treated groups compared to the control group. The liver concentration of Se in the treated groups varied in the range from 222 to 238 ng/g. No differences were observed in the activity of AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and TAS (total antioxidant status). A significant decrease in ALT activity compared to the control group was observed in the treated groups. GPx activity varied from 80 to 88 U/mL through tested groups. SOD activity in liver was decreased in the SeNP-treated group with 5 mg Se/kg (929 ± 103 U/mL). Histopathological examination showed damage to the liver parenchyma and intestinal epithelium in a dose-dependent manner. This study suggests that short-term SeNP supplementation can be safe and beneficial in Se deficiency or specific treatment.
Highlights
Selenium is one of the essential microelements that is important for several biochemical reactions in living organisms
The trend of utilisation of Se for nutritional supplementation is developing with respect to selenium nanoformulation, as we described in our review [8]
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sub-lethal doses of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on the health status of Wistar albino rats
Summary
Selenium is one of the essential microelements that is important for several biochemical reactions in living organisms. Its role in an organism depends on chemical structure. Se can occur in various oxidation states: selenide (-II), selenite (IV), and selenate (VI). Se is bounded in amino acids or their derivates (mostly in the form of selenide). Up to 90% of Se is deposited in selenoproteins in muscle tissue, and the thyroid gland [1]. The most important role of selenium is the antioxidant system’s function, prevention in lipid oxidation and inhibition of DNA damage. Se contributes to the normal function of the thyroid gland via the iodothyronine deiodinase enzyme converting thyroxin to its active form, triiodothyronine [2]
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