Protective Role of Selenium and Vitamin E against Hexavalent Chromium Induced Hepatotoxicty and Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

This chapter aimed to determine the extent of hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity produced by a sub-chronic exposure to a very low environmentally relevant dose of hexavalent chromium along with ameliorative potential of selenium and vitamin E in combination against such chronic exposure. The protective potential of selenium and vitamin E against hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by chronic exposure to a very low environmentally relevant dose of hexavalent chromium was assessed in male albino rats. Animals (six rats in each group) received solution of potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇)  at a dose of 1 mg / Kg b.w./day; sodium selenate (0.25 mg/kg bw) plus vitamin E ( 100 mg/kg bw) and supplementation of sodium selenate  plus vitamin E along with K₂Cr₂O₇  solution ;  control group received only distilled water for  ninety consecutive days.  In the rats treated with K₂Cr₂O₇, there was a significant reduction in body weight gain and an increase in liver and kidney weight, as well as an increase in serum glucose, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine levels and a drop in protein and albumin levels. The activities of serum enzymes, SGOT, SGPT, ACP and ALP were also increased in treated animals. The activities of enzymes CAT, SOD, GPx and the levels of GSH reduced significantly and level of MDA increased in K₂Cr₂O₇ treated rats in comparison to control animals. Liver and kidney tissues exhibited features of toxicity in chromium treated animals. All the effects were reversed in supplemented group. A significant increase in MDA level and a significant decrease in CAT-SOD system and GPx- GSH activity is a clear indication of oxidative stress, which might have caused functional and structural disruption in both liver and kidney of chromium exposed animals. In male albino rats, chronic exposure to K₂Cr₂O₇ at a relatively low ecologically relevant dose led to hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity brought on by oxidative stress; the effects were mitigated by selenium and vitamin E supplementation.