Effect of Sodium Selenide on Renal Toxicity Induced By Mercuric Chloride in Rat

Background and Aims: Mercury, with its oxidative activity, causes damage to the antioxidant enzymes thus resulting in physiological disorders. Sodium selenide is an antioxidant that protects antioxidant enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of sodium selenide on renal toxicity induced by mercuric chloride in rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into 6 groups of 6 each. Control group was treated with mercuric chloride (2.5 mg/kg) subcutaneously. Groups 2, 3 and 4 of the rats were treated with 2.5 mg/kg of mercuric chloride and sodium selenide subcutaneously administered at doses of 0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 mg/kg, respectively. The fifth group received 0.04 mg/kg sodium selenide subcutaneously after 25 days of mercuric chloride (2.5 mg/kg) treatment. The sixth group was treated with 2.5 mg/kg of mercuric chloride subcutaneously and 100 mg/kg of vitamin E by gavage. Results: After data analysis of the activity of the enzyme catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxide, creatinine and urea, there was a significant difference in the activity of these factors compared with the control group in blood and kidney tissue (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated that mercuric chloride has toxic effects in blood and kidney and sodium selenide may be able to reduce its’ blood and renal toxicity.