Effect of Low-Dose Selenium Supplementation on the Genotoxicity, Tissue Injury and Survival of Mice Exposed to Acute Whole-Body Irradiation

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the radioprotective effect of low-dose selenium supplementation (multiple administrations) on radiation toxicities and mortality induced by lethal dose of whole-body irradiation (WBI). For this, BALB/c mice received sodium selenite (4 μg/kg body wt) intraperitoneally for five consecutive days and subjected to WBI at an absorbed dose of 8 Gy (Co, 1 Gy/min). Administration of sodium selenite was continued even during the post irradiation days three times a week till the end of the experiment. The radioprotective effect was evaluated in terms of the improvement in 30 days post irradiation survival, protection from DNA damage, and biochemical and histological changes in radiosensitive organs. The results indicated that low-dose sodium selenite administration did not protect the mice from radiation-induced hematopoietic and gastrointestinal injuries and subsequent mortality. However, it significantly prevented the radiation-induced genotoxicity or DNA damage in peripheral leukocytes. Further sodium selenite administration modulated the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of GPx1, GPx2, and GPx4 in the spleen and intestine differentially and led to a significant increase in GPx activity (∼1.5 to 2-folds) in these organs. In line with this observation, sodium selenite administration reduced the level of lipid peroxidation in the intestine. In conclusion, our study shows that low-dose sodium selenite supplementation can be an effective strategy to prevent WBI-induced genotoxicity but may not have an advantage against mortality sustained during nuclear emergencies.

The solvent and treatment regimen of sodium selenite cause its effects to vary on the radiation response of human bronchial cells from tumour and normal tissues

“…By lowering the amount of lipid peroxide and increasing glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity, sodium selenite significantly improved the oxidative stress response of the uterus and ovaries induced by radiation [11]. During whole-body irradiation treatment with sodium selenite, mice were protected against radiation-induced genotoxicity and DNA damage in peripheral leukocytes, but it did not keep the animals from mortality or gastrointestinal and hematopoietic lesions [12]. However, overall, in the further literature, the effects of sodium selenite described on the cellular radiation sensitivity are contradictory.…”

Radioprotection and Radiomitigation: From the Bench to Clinical Practice

“…On the other hand, survival following 10 Gy exposure was significantly dropped after selenomethionine treatment only [90]. Nevertheless, it is still an open question whether the results may indicate an advantage against the mortality sustained during nuclear emergencies [91].…”

Advances in the Study of Selenium‐Enriched Probiotics: From the Inorganic Se into Se Nanoparticles

“…Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) has seven isoforms, i.e., GPX1‐7. [ 39 ] Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an isoform of antioxidant enzymes, and SOD1 which plays an important role in treating and preventing free radical‐induced multiple diseases accounts for 85%. [ 40 ] Many studies have shown that Se‐enriched probiotics upregulate the mRNA expressions of GPX1, GPX4, and SOD1.…”