Effects of Sodium Selenite in Cadmium Chloride Induced Hepatoxicity in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

The present study aimed to assess the protective role of selenium against cadmium induced hepatotoxicity. The rats were given subcutaneous doses of 1mg/Kg body weight of either normal saline or cadmium chloride or sodium selenite or cadmium chloride plus sodium selenite on alternate days for four weeks. The results showed that cadmium treatment increased hepatic levels of lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and metals. Conversely, the levels of antioxidant system and hemoglobin were decreased as compared to the control and selenium groups of rats. Ameliorating effects of selenium were observed in rats treated with the co-administration of cadmium and selenium. The hepatoprotective effects of selenium against cadmium induced toxicity, oxidative stress and tissue damage in this study could be attributed to its antioxidant and possible chelating effects on cadmium. This study provides a possible elucidation of hepatotoxicity in rats that may have resulted from their exposure to cadmium in the environment.