Radioprotective Role of Selenium after Single-Dose Radioiodine (131I) Exposure to Red Blood Cells of Rats

The present study elucidated the protective potential of selenium following ¹³¹I-induced alterations in rat blood. Forty rats were segregated into 4 groups. Animals in Group I served as normal controls, Group II animals were injected with a single dose of 3.7 Mbq of ¹³¹I (carrier free), Group III animals were supplemented with selenium (1 ppm), and Group IV animals were given a combined treatment of selenium and ¹³¹I. ¹³¹I treatment of rats showed significant increases in total leukocyte counts (TLCs), lymphocytes, and neutrophils (monocytes and eosinophils were not recorded). These were significantly restored upon supplementation of selenium. Lipid peroxidase (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) were found to be enhanced following ¹³¹I treatment. However, the levels of catalase were found to be decreased. Selenium administration to ¹³¹I-treated rats resulted in significant restoration of these enzyme activities. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies also revealed various surface deformities in erythrocytes after ¹³¹I treatment, which upon supplementation with selenium were significantly restored. In conclusion, selenium may prove to be an effective radioprotector following ¹³¹I treatment.