Selenium supplementation during cadmium exposure: Changes in antioxidant enzymes and the ultrastructure of the kidney

Abstract

Cadmium exposure in mice (8 mg Cd as CdCl2/kg bw, for 8 weeks, daily oral) resulted in increased cadmium levels in kidney and liver. The level was quite high in kidney (3 times) as compared to liver. However when selenium (0.35 mg Se as Na2SeO3/kg bw, daily, orally for 8 weeks) was administered concurrently, a significant decrease in cadmium level was seen in kidney and liver. Cadmium exposure resulted in apparent pathological changes in the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) in kidney at the electron microscopic level. The mitochondria seem to be most severely affected among the cellular organelles. The alterations included swelling and dilation of the organelles. The cristae showed a disorganized architecture. Activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and catalase in kidney were also significantly inhibited. However, when selenium was co‐administered, the structural integrity of the PCT was comparable to the control. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes was also restored to normal levels. This study suggests that cadmium manifests toxic effects by disrupting the antioxidant enzyme system, which in turn affects the membranous structures such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. This, in turn, affects the oxidative phosphorylation. Further, it is observed that the co‐administration of selenium diminishes the effects of cadmium. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 10:233–242, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Effect of Selenium Pre-treatment on Antioxidative Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation in Cd-exposed Suckling Rats

“…4) until it reaches plateau [25]. Furthermore, our kidney and brain SOD and GSH-Px findings support studies on adult Se-supplemented, Cd-exposed animals [32,33,39,40,66,67]. It seems that although equimolar to Cd, our oral dose of Se was high enough to enhance enzyme activity in the tissues of suckling rats and act as a detoxifying agent by lowering Cd tissue levels, as shown earlier [28].…”

Simultaneous Determination of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Se in Human Blood of Jordanian Smokers by ICP-OES

“…It is valuable to report here the negative correlation (r=−0.286) between blood Se and blood Cd levels in smokers. This negative correlation interprets that Se may antagonize Cd especially in acute exposures since a significant decrease was found in Cd levels in the mice organs following an 8-week daily Se supplementation [27]. However, other researchers reported that blood Se levels in smokers decreased compared with nonsmokers.…”

Selenium and Cadmium Levels and Ratios in Prostates, Livers, and Kidneys of Nonsmokers and Smokers

“…It is also registered specifically as a prostate cancer risk factor [2], as it accumulates in the prostate, where it promotes oxygen radical production, alters steroid hormone metabolism, stimulates the growth of human prostate epithelial cells, and induces their malignant transformation [3][4][5][6][7].…”