Acute toxicity of sodium selenite and selenomethionine in mice after ICV or IV administration.
The acute intracerebroventricular administration of sodium selenite and selenomethionine in conscious mice produced neurotoxicity manifested by hyperreflexia, convulsions and dealth. Selenite was 43-fold more toxic than selenomethionine on the basis of LD50 determination. The intravenous administration of the selenium compounds resulted in predominantly cardio-respiratory effects, hind limb paralysis and death. Selenite was 4-fold more toxic than selenomethionine. A comparison of relative toxicity after icv or iv administration revealed that selenite is more toxic than selenomethionine and greater relative toxicity was noted via the icv route. This toxicity difference may be attributed to the lack or low level of biotransformation of selenite by the CNS.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D020887:Selenious Acid; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D012645:Selenomethionine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
D012645:Selenomethionine; D020887:Selenious Acid; D012643:Selenium