Abstract
Selenium is an essential cofactor in the key enzymes involved in cellular antioxidant defense. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of selenium on mercury chloride (HgCl2)-induced toxicity. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each. The first group was control; the second group was treated with mercuric chloride (HgCl2: 50 mg/kg/bw). The third group was treated with sodium selenite (Se 0.2 mg/kg/bw), and the fourth group received Se (0.2 mg/kg/bw) plus HgCl2 (50 mg/kg for 24 h). The influence of Se on mercury induced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and zinc, copper, and iron in serum of rats were observed. The serum MDA, SOD, zinc, and iron concentrations were found to be statistically different among the control and toxin-treated group. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha were also measured. There was a significant decrease in the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 in toxin-treated group II compared with that of the control group (p < 0.05). A significant increase in the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 after administration of Se seemed to counteract some of the damage, as indicated by differences in the serum concentrations of major elements.