Diphenyl diselenide protects against hematological and immunological alterations induced by mercury in mice

Abstract

Mercury is a heavy metal that can cause a variety of toxic effects on the organism, such as hematological and immunological alterations. In the present investigation, deleterious effects of mercury-intoxication in mice and a possible protective effect of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)(2) were studied. Male adult Swiss albino mice received daily a pretreatment with (PhSe)(2) (15.6 mg/kg, orally) for 1 week. After this week, mice received daily mercuric chloride (1 mg/kg, subcutaneously) for 2 weeks. A number of hematological (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocytes, and leukocytes differential) and immunological (immunoglobulin G and M plasma concentration) parameters were evaluated. Another biomarker of tissue damage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), was also determined. The results demonstrated that mercury exposure caused a reduction in the erythrocyte, hematocrit, hemoglobin, leukocyte, and platelet counts and an increase in the reticulocyte percentages. (PhSe)(2) was effective in protecting against the reduction in hematocrit, hemoglobin, and leukocyte levels. (PhSe)(2) ameliorated reticulocyte percentages increased by mercury. However, (PhSe)(2) was partially effective in preventing against the decrease in erythrocyte and platelet counts. Immunoglobulin G and M concentrations and LDH activity were increased by mercury exposure, and (PhSe)(2) was effective in protecting against these effects. In conclusion, (PhSe)(2) was effective in protecting against hematological and immunological alterations induced by mercury in mice.

Diphenyl diselenide a janus-faced molecule

“…The pretreatment with diphenyl diselenide was effective in protecting against the immunological and hematological alterations induced by HgCl 2 in mice. 52 Following a very similar protocol, the effect of combined therapy with diphenyl diselenide and 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid (DMPS) was investigated against toxicity induced by HgCl 2 in mice. The results proved that combined therapy with diphenyl diselenide and DMPS was less effective than isolated therapies to counteract renal and hematological damage induced by HgCl 2 in mice.…”

Diphenyl diselenide potentiates nephrotoxicity induced by mercuric chloride in mice

“…Our research group demonstrated toxic effects of the HgCl 2 + (PhSe) 2 interaction in mice, after a concomitant administration to both compounds (Brandão et al , ). In contrast, when (PhSe) 2 was administered before or after HgCl 2 exposure, beneficial effects were observed in mice (Brandão et al , ). This may suggest that the effects of (PhSe) 2 against the toxicity induced by mercury depends on dose of this organoselenium compound and whether the administration of both compounds is concomitant or not.…”

“…In addition, we have reported, in previous studies, that the co‐administration of HgCl 2 and (PhSe) 2 in mice can be related to the toxicity to both compounds (Brandão et al , ). In contrast, when (PhSe) 2 is administered before or after HgCl 2 exposure, beneficial effects were demonstrated (Brandão et al , ).…”

Mercury Toxicity on Sodium Pump and Organoseleniums Intervention: A Paradox

“…This indicates that DPDS can protect against some toxic effects of MeHg in mice [62]. Furthermore, DPDS protected against the observed reduction in some haematological immunological alterations induced by mercury in mice [73]. In combination with N-acetyl cysteine, (NAC), DPDS was reported to be partially effective in protecting against the effects of mercury.…”