Comparative study of radioprotective effects of selenium nanoparticles and sodium selenite in irradiation-induced nephropathy of mice model

Purpose: The current study was undertaken to evaluate radioprotective effects of selenium (Se) nanoparticles in irradiation-induced nephropathy of mice model compared to sodium selenite.

Materials and methods: Forty-five mice were divided into three major groups including control, Se nanoparticle, and sodium selenite. Each major group was further subdivided into three more groups receiving various doses of 0, 2, and 8 Gy gamma irradiation. Both of the supplements were administered intraperitoneally with the dose of 0.1 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. At the end of each week, the animals were exposed to gamma radiation and 48 h after the last exposure, the animals were humanely euthanized, then blood and renal tissue samples were taken. Serum creatinine, urea, cystatin C, and beta-2-microglobulin levels as well as activities of renal antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, also malondialdehyde level, total antioxidant capacity, renal tissue Se content, and histopathological features were assessed.

Results: The results showed that both of the supplements could normalize aforementioned indices. However, selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) were more effective than sodium selenite.

Conclusions: Conclusively, Se-NPs as an emerging potent antioxidant agent can protect against irradiation-induced nephropathy.