Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of selenium (Se) on the liver damage, metallothionein synthesis and hepatic antioxidative detoxification system in cadmium(Cd) administered rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats(60\\5g) were divided into two diet groups, depending on with (CdS groups) or without (Cd groups) 0.5ppm Se supplementation and fed experimental diets ad libidum for 4 weeks. And then each group was again subdivided into five groups, depending on injection number of Cd, i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 times of 2.5mg Cd/kg of body wt once a day. Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit values, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase activite were decreased progressively with increasing number of Cd injection, but increased by the supplementation of Se. The reduced form of glutathione (GSH) contents in blood and liver and vitamin E content were decreased and oxidized form (GSSG) increased in Cd groups, but these of Se supplemented groups were not very different from controls. Cd reduced liver vitamin E content which was not restored by Se supplementation. Liver lipid peroxide values were elevated with increasing doses of Cd, but Se supplementation reduced these elevated levels. Accumulation of metallothionein in liver and kidney was increased with increasing number of Cd injection, but Se did not affect on them. Histological examination revealed that lysosomes were significantly increased and mitochondria and Golgi apparatus were enlarged by Cd, however, these changes were reduced by Se. It was concluded that Se administration promoted antioxidative detoxification and alleviated peroxidative damage in rat liver by Cd.

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