Possible new organoselenium supplement – evaluation of its influence on the kidneys in comparison with inorganic sodium selenite

The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility of using of the new selenoorganic ring compound, 3-(o-chlorobenzoylamino)-2-(o-tolylimino)-4-methyl-4-selenazoline, as a selenium supplement by investigating the influence of its short-term administration on Se accumulation and antioxidant status in kidney. For 10 days, adolescent male Wistar rats were treated with saline (control group), Na2SeO3 (Se-IN group) or the studied compound (Se-ORG group) (5 × 10−4 mg Se/g of once a day) via a stomach tube. The selenium concentration, total antioxidant status (TAS), activities ofthe antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and concentration of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were determined in the kidney homogenates. TAS was significantly reduced in the Se-ORG group compared to the control. Reduced glutathione was markedly decreased in Se-treated animals compared to the control and in the Se-ORG group compared to the Se-IN group. Malonyldialdehyde was significantly increased in the Se-supplemented groups compared to the control group but considerably less so in the Se-ORG group. All other studied parameters displayed no significant differences. No increase in the accumulation of selenium and the partial impairment of the antioxidant status and enhancement of lipid peroxidation in the kidneys resulting from Se treatment could suggest that in the first period of administration, excess selenium was excreted with urine, leading to a disturbance of kidney functions. Comparison of the effect of our compound with that exerted by inorganic Na2SeO3 suggests that the studied compound could be considered as a possible supplement after further investigations, including determination of selenium excretion with urine, as well as repetition of this study using a wide range of doses and periods of supplementation.