Mercuric chloride induced hepatotoxic and hematologic changes in rats: The protective effects of sodium selenite and vitamin E

This study focuses on investigating the possible protective effect of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) and/or vitamin E against mercuric chloride (HgCl₂)-induced hepatotoxicity in rat. Male rats were given HgCl₂ (1 mg/kg body weight (bw)) and HgCl₂ plus Na₂SeO₃ (0.25 mg/kg bw) and/or vitamin E (100 mg/kg bw) daily via gavage for 4 weeks. HgCl₂-treated groups had significantly higher white blood cell and thrombocyte counts than the control group. Serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, -glutamyl-transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase significantly increased and serum levels of total protein, albumin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased in the HgCl₂-treated groups compared with control group. Malondialdehyde level significantly increased and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities decreased in liver tissue of HgCl₂-treated rats. Also, HgCl₂ exposure resulted in histopathological changes. Supplementation of Na₂SeO₃ and/or vitamin E provided partial protection in hematological and biochemical parameters that were altered by HgCl₂. As a result, Na₂SeO₃ and/or vitamin E significantly reduced HgCl₂-induced hepatotoxicity, but not protected completely.

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