EJMS

Abstract

Lead and aluminum are known as omnipresent environmental pollutants that induce a broad range of physiological and biochemical dysfunctions in animals. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of selenium on renal dysfunctions induced by contamination of lead and aluminum in male rats. A total of 48 male albino rats were distributed into 6 groups, 8 rats each, which assigned into six treatment groups: (1) control, (2) sodium selenite (selenium ) 0.5 mg/kg BW, (3) lead acetate 30 mg/kg BW, (4) Lead acetate (30 mg/kg BW) plus selenium ( 0.5 mg/kg BW) (5) Aluminum chloride 34 mg/kg BW, and (6) aluminum chloride (34 mg/kg BW) plus selenium (0.5 mg/kg BW) where rats were orally administered their respective closes every other day for 60 days. Blood samples were collected at 30 and 60 days from the start of treatments. Results show that oral administration of lead or aluminum significantly increased plasma urea, creatinine, glucose and alkaline phosphatase, while plasma total protein and albumin were decreased. Oral administration of selenium alone significantly maintained growth rate, plasma urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and glucose slightly less than control while total protein and albumin just above the control group. Oral administration of selenium in combination with lead acetate or aluminum chloride alleviated their toxic effects which are recognized from retaining the levels of the studied plasma parameters to back close to those of the control group. Conclusion: selenium has beneficial effects and ability to prevent the toxic effects of lead or aluminum.