Effects of selenium on superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radical in rat liver

  Objective   To study the effects of sodium selenite on production of superoxide anion(^°O₂^-)and hydroxyl free radical(^°OH)in rathepato cytesin vivo and in vitro.

  Methods   Sodium selenite at the doses of 2.185, 8.750 and 35.00 μmol/L acted respectively in male Wistar ratcs hepatocellular homogenate in vitro, superoxide anion(^°O₂^-)and hydroxyl free radical(^°OH)were measured with regular methods.Studiedin vivo, sodium selenite at the doses of 0.75, 1.50 and 3.00 mg/kg were given to rats by i.p., superoxide anion(^°O₂^-)and hydroxyl free radical(^°OH)were measured with Electron Spin Resonance(ESR).

  Results   Studied in vitro, sodium selenite at the dose of 2.185μmol/L could decrease the production of MDA, superoxide anion(^°O₂^-)and hydroxyl free radical(^°OH)significantly; While sodium selenite at 8.750 and 35.1000 μmol/L respectively, selenium could increase the production of MDA, superoxide anion(^°O₂^-)and hy droxyl free radical(^°OH) significantly.Studied in vivo, sodium selenite at the doses of 0175, 11 50 and 3100 mg/kg could promote the formation of superoxide anion(^°O₂^-)and hydroxyl free radical(^°OH)obviously.

  Conclusion   Selenium at the certain dose could inhibit the production of free radicals and improve the state of oxidative stress, but selenium at relative high dose could increase the formation of free radicals and result in oxidative stress significantly in rathepatocytes.