Nephroprotective Effects of Selenium Nanoparticles Against Sodium Arsenite-Induced Damages.

INTRODUCTION

The potential effects of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) administration on arsenic exposure-mediated nephrotoxicity by alleviating fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress-related damage, and apoptosis remains more detailed investigations.

METHODS

After the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) by sodium selenite (NaSeO) through a versatile and green procedure, the biosafety of SeNPs was assessed by assaying renal functions and inflammation in mice. Subsequently, nephroprotective effects of SeNPs against sodium arsenite (NaAsO)-induced damages were confirmed by biochemical, molecular, and histopathological assays, including renal function, histological lesion, fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress-related damage, and apoptosis in mice renal tissues and renal tubular duct epithelial cells (HK2 cells).

RESULTS

The excellent biocompatibility and safety of SeNPs prepared in this study were confirmed by the non-significant differences in the renal functions and inflammation levels in mice between the negative control (NC) and 1 mg/kg SeNPs groups (p>0.05). The results of biochemical, molecular, and histopathological assays confirmed that daily administration of 1 mg/kg SeNPs for 4 weeks not only ameliorated renal dysfunctions and injuries caused by NaAsO exposure but also inhibited the fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress-related damage, and apoptosis in the renal tissues of NaAsO-exposed mice. In addition, altered viability, inflammation, oxidative stress-related damage, and apoptosis in the NaAsO-exposed HK2 cells were effectively reversed after 100 μg/mL SeNPs supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings authentically confirmed the biosafety and nephroprotective effects of SeNPs against NaAsO exposure-induced damages by alleviating inflammation, oxidative stress-related damage, and apoptosis.