Failure of protection against endotoxin hepatotoxicity by selenium.

The present study was undertaken in rats to test the ability of selenium to prevent endotoxin hepatotoxicity. There were no significant morphological changes in the liver and no abnormalities of liver function in rats given 0, 6.25 or 12.5 mumol of selenium. Endotoxin administration to these rats induced focal hepatocellular coagulative necrosis and increased serum transaminase activities. However, endotoxin hepatotoxicity and mortality of the rats given endotoxin after treatment with 6.25 or 12.5 mumol of selenium were not significantly lower than in those given endotoxin alone. These facts suggest that selenium does not prevent endotoxin hepatotoxicity.