Effect of Selenium on Oxidative Stress Outcomes due to Cyclophosphamide Consumption in Rats’ Submandibular Salivary Glands
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 13 No. 2 (2023),
11 June 2023,
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the possible role of selenium in mitigating the toxic effect of cyclophosphamide on the oxidative parameters as well as the histology of submandibular salivary glands’ tissues of albino male rats.
Methods: Twenty male albino rats (aged 3-4 months, 300-400 grams) were divided into four groups (n=5): the first group was administered with distilled water orally, the second group was administered with selenium (0.2 mg/kg) orally for 14 days, the third group was given (150 mg/kg) cyclophosphamide by i.p. injection on day eight, and the fourth group was given selenium (0.2 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg) by i.p. injection on day eight. On day 15, all rats were anesthetized, blood samples were collected for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) analysis, all rats were euthanized, and the submandibular salivary glands were collected.
Results: The biochemical analysis of serum TAC values and MDA levels revealed a significant reduction in the TAC levels and an elevation in MDA levels in the cyclophosphamide (CY) group in comparison with other groups, whereas, the cyclophosphamide with selenium (CY+Se) group showed an elevation in TAC values and a reduction in MDA levels in comparison with the CY group. The histopathological study revealed mucous acini necrosis, atrophy, vacuoles in the serous acini, with edema surrounding the striated ducts, degeneration signs in granular convoluted tubules, as well as an increase in fibrous tissue surrounding the interlobular ducts, while the CY+Se group showed an improvement in the histological architectures.
Conclusion: Cyclophosphamide caused oxidative stress, represented by a reduction in the antioxidant marker level, an elevation in the oxidative marker level, and structural alterations in the submandibular salivary glands of rats and selenium mitigated these effects, as seen by the biochemical analysis and histological investigation.