Protective effects of Selenium (Se) on Chromium (VI) induced nephrotoxicity in adult rats

Chromium is a toxic metal implicated in human diseases. This study was focused on investigating the possible protective effect of Se against K2Cr2O7. Female Wistar rats, used in this study, were divided into four groups of six animals each: group I served as control which received standard diet; group II received orally only K2Cr2O7 (700 ppm equivalent to 67 mg/kg bw); group III received both K2Cr2O7 and Se (0.5 mg/kg of diet); group IV received Se (0.5 mg Na2SeO3/kg of diet). The exposure of rats to K2Cr2O7 for 21 days provoked renal damages with a significant increase in kidney malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, plasma creatinine, and uric acid levels, while catalase, glutathione peroxidase, non-protein thiol, Metallothionein and plasma urea levels decreased. Coadministration of Se in the diet of chromium-treated group improved malondialdehyde, renal biomarkers levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. Kidney histological studies confirmed biochemical parameters and the beneficial role of selenium.