Antioxidant status of rats’ blood and liver affected by sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles

Abstract

Background. The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles on antioxidant status of rats. Methods. The males of outbreed strain Wistar albino were selected as a model organism. Animals were fed with different forms of selenium. The control group was given mixture without selenium addition, whereas other groups were fed with mixture containing sodium selenite, Se-49 and Se-100 selenium nanoparticles, respectively. The duration of the trial was 30 days. Results. The analysis of blood and liver was performed where concentration of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, and the total selenium content were measured. In liver, a significant reduction in GSSG was found in all experimental groups. Blood samples showed a significant reduction in GSH and an increase in GSSG. Discussion. These results show that selenium nanoparticles may be an alternative to dietary selenium for the animal organism.