Abstract
Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have recently gained much attention in nanomedicine applications owing to their unique biological properties. Biosynthesis of SeNPs using nutraceuticals as lycopene (LYC) maximizes their stability and bioactivities. In this context, this study aimed to elucidate the renoprotective activity of SeNPs coated with LYC (LYC-SeNPs) in the acute kidney injury (AKI) model.
Rats were divided into six groups: control, AKI (glycerol-treated), AKI+sodium selenite (Na
SeO
; 0.5 mg/kg), AKI+LYC (10 mg/kg), AKI+LYC-SeNPs (0.5 mg/kg) and treated for 14 days.
Glycerol treatment evoked significant increases in rhabdomyolysis-related markers (creatine kinase and LDH). Furthermore, relative kidney weight, Kim-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), serum urea, and creatinine in the AKI group were elevated. Glycerol-injected rats displayed declines in reduced glutathione level, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities, paralleled with downregulations in
and
expressions and high renal MDA and NO contents. Glycerol-induced renal inflammation was evident by rises in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and upregulated
expression. Also, apoptotic (elevated caspase-3, Bax, and cytochrome-c with lowered Bcl-2) and necroptotic (elevated
expression) changes were reported in damaged renal tissue. Co-treatment with Na
SeO
, LYC, or LYC-SeNPs restored the biochemical, molecular, and histological alterations in AKI. In comparison with Na
SeO
or LYC treatment, LYC-SeNPs had the best nephroprotective profile.
Our findings authentically revealed that LYC-SeNPs co-administration could be a prospective candidate against AKI-mediated renal damage via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-necroptotic activities.