Effects of Selenium Nanoparticles on Biochemical Parameters and Histopathological Changes in Lead-intoxicated Rats

Background: Lead pollution -a major environmental problems in industrial countries- is associated with health problems. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of selenium nanoparticles in a lead-induced testicular toxicity model. Methods: In total, 30 Wistar rats were divided into three groups and treated (except the normal control) with lead acetate in drinking water (1,000 mg/l) for five weeks. The negative and positive control rats received saline intraperitoneally, and the third group received intraperitoneal injections of selenium nanoparticles (0.5 mg/kg). Results: The lead-treated group showed a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde levels (P 0.01). The lead-intoxicated rats treated with selenium nanoparticles showed a significant decrease in serum AST and ALT compared to the untreated negative controls (P 0.5). The histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues indicated lead-induced injuries (e.g., necrotic cells in liver and kidneys). The selenium-treated group showed reduced histopathological signs of lead-induced injuries. Lipid peroxidation levels were also lower in the selenium-treated rats compared to the negative controls (P 0.05). Conclusion: This experimental study confirmed the protective effects of selenium nanoparticles in the rats exposed to chronic lead-induced toxicity. However, further experiments are required to evaluate the possible side-effects and complications.