title: Mercuric chloride induced hepatotoxic and hematologic changes in rats: The protective effects of sodium selenite and vitamin E.
abstract: 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, γ-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.
authors.affiliation: Vocational High School of Health Services, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey meltemu@gazi.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Meltem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uzunhisarcikli
authors.affiliation: Vocational High School of Health Services, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aslanturk
authors.affiliation: Department of Science Education, Gazi Faculty of Education, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Suna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalender
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma Gokce
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Apaydin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D048550:Hepatic Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010976:Platelet Count; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D020011:Protective Agents; D014810:Vitamin E; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D018038:Sodium Selenite
keywords: Mercuric chloride; hepatotoxicity; histopathology; oxidative stress; sodium selenite; vitamin E