Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice by oral administration of diphenylmethyl selenocyanate

Cisplatin is one of the most potent and active cytotoxic drug in the treatment of cancer. However, side-effects in normal tissues and organs, notably nephrotoxicity in the kidneys, limit the promising efficacy of cisplatin. The present study was designed to ascertain the possible in vivo protective potential of a synthetic organoselenium compound diphenylmethyl selenocyanate (3 mg/kg.b.w.) against the nephrotoxic damage induced by cisplatin (5 mg/kg.b.w. for 5 days) in Swiss albino mice. Treatment with diphenylmethyl selenocyanate markedly reduced cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Renal antioxidant defense systems, such as glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, activities and reduced glutathione level, depleted by cisplatin therapy, were restored to normal by the selenium compound. The selenium compound also reduced renal tubular epithelial cell damage, nitric oxide levels and expression of COX-2, and iNOS in kidneys injured by cisplatin. These results demonstrate the protective effect of diphenylmethyl selenocyanate against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice.