EJMS

Abstract

Background: Acrylamide is a commonly used chemical in industrial purposes as purification of drinking and waste water and in formation of agricultural sprays, soil stabilizers and in the paper and pulp industry. Its use induced liver toxicity most commonly related to oxidative stress. Aim of work: to clarify the possible protective role of selenium against the hepatotoxic effect of acrylamide in adult male albino rat. Material & methods: 40 adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were randomly divided into four equal groups: group I (control group), Group II (sham control) selenium treated group, group III (acrylamide-treated group) and group IV (acrylamide and selenium-treated group). At the end of experimental period, blood samples were obtained for measuring the liver enzymes, then the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the liver of each animal were extracted and prepared for light, electron microscopic examination and histomorphometric study. Results: histological sections of group III revealed marked pathological changes in the liver in the form of dilatation and congestion of the central vein and hepatic sinusoids. The hepatocytes showed nuclear degeneration and rarefaction of their cytoplasm. Marked polymorph cellular infiltration was noticed. Electron microscopic examination showed degenerative changes in the hepatocytes. Liver sections revealed weak PAS reaction and increased collagen fibers deposition. There was marked increase in the liver enzymes compared with that of the control group. Treatment with selenium in group IV resulted in amelioration of the degenerative hepatic changes with improvement of the histological and ultra-structural picture of the liver. The liver enzymes level return to nearly normal values. Conclusion: selenium could protect the liver from acrylamide induced toxicity in adult male albino rat.