Comparing The Effects of Selenium Nanoparticles and Selenium Nanocomposites on Food Intake and Anxiety-like Behaviors

Background & Objective: Selenium nanoparticles (Se -NPs) and selenium nanocomposites (Se -NCs) have different biological effects. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effects of selenium nanoparticles and selenium nanocomposites (Se –NCs) on anxiety, food intake, and brain histology of rats. Materials & Methods: Thirty-two male adult Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups. The control group received saline, the Selenium powder group received 1 mg/kg /day selenium powder orally for 21 days, and the selenium nanoparticle group received three weeks of oral gavage of Se –NPs. The selenium nanocomposites group received three weeks of oral gavage of nanocomposites. Finally, cumulative food consumption and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed, and, after that, rats were bled and sacrificed for further biochemical and histopathological investigations. Results: Oral administration of Se powder at a dose of 1 mg/kg /day for 21 days had no significant effect on the brain superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities. There was also no significant change in the levels of brain glutathione concentration (GSH), brain MDA, and behavioral parameters. Selenium nanoparticles also showed no significant alterations in brain biochemical parameters, behavioral effects, and brain histology. The oral administration of Selenium nanocomposites significantly increased brain superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione content and had positive effects on behavioral parameters. Conclusion: The present study showed that Se -NCs have behavioral effects and could induce significant biochemical changes in brain oxidative status.