Role of selenium and vitamin E in renal cadmium-induced oxidative stress in rats

In the present study, the adult male Wistar rats were given the cadmium (Cd) as CdCl2 in 0.5 ml sterile physiological saline at a dose of 5 mg/kg day, selenium at a dose of 25 mg/kg day, and vitamin E at a dose of 50 mg/kg day for 4 weeks. The Cd significantly (P < 0.01) increase serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO), and reduced glutathione (GSH); however, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), GPx, and GST were reduced in cadmium-induced rats. Furthermore, rats received cadmium showed multiple histo-pathological changes, and the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly down-regulated. Concurrent treatment of the cadmium-induced rats with either selenium or vitamin E significantly ameliorated serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels. Cadmium-induced rats treated with vitamin E and selenium showed nearly normal structure of the renal corpuscles and renal tubules. Additionally, lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced, and alleviated the activity of SOD, GPx and GST. The cadmium-induced rats treated with either selenium or vitamin E showed significant (P < 0.01) enrichment of kidney Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. Therefore, we can conclude that vitamin E and selenium heal the damages caused by Cd in rats.