Positive Health Online

Abstract

AMIN and COLLEAGUES, 1. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Dammam, PO Box 383, Dammam, 31113, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. kaothman@uod.edu.sa ;2. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni-Suef City, Egypt. kaothman@uod.edu.sa ; 3. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni-Suef City, Egypt; 4. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Dammam, PO Box 383, Dammam, 31113, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 5. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt;

Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni-Suef City, Egypt conducted a study to assess the hepatoprotective role of selenium nanoparticles (Nano-Se) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic injury.

Background

Overdoses of acetaminophen (APAP), a famous and widely used drug, may have hepatotoxic effects. Nanoscience is a novel scientific discipline that provides specific tools for medical science problems including using nano trace elements in hepatic diseases.

Methodology

Our study aimed to assess the hepatoprotective role of selenium nanoparticles (Nano-Se) against APAP-induced hepatic injury. Twenty-four male rats were classified into three equal groups: a control group that received 0.9 % NaCl, an APAP-treated group (oral administration), and a group treated with Nano-Se (10-20 nm, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection) and APAP (oral administration).

Results

APAP overdose induced significant elevations in liver function biomarkers, hepatic lipid peroxidation, hepatic catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and stimulated significant DNA damage in hepatocytes, compared to control rats. Nano-Se administration improved the hepatic antioxidant protection mechanism and decreased cellular sensitivity to DNA fragmentation.

Conclusion

Nano-Se exhibits a protective effect against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through improved liver function and oxidative stress mediated by catalase, SOD, and GSH and decreases hepatic DNA fragmentation, a hepatic biomarker of cell death. Nano-Se could be a novel hepatoprotective strategy to inhibit oxidative stress.

References

Amin KA1,2, Hashem KS3, Alshehri FS4, Awad ST5, Hassan MS6. Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Efficiency of Selenium Nanoparticles Against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Damage. Biol Trace Elem Res. 175(1):136-145. Jan 2017, doi: 10.1007/s12011-016-0748-6. Epub May 25 2016.