The influence of sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles on the antioxidant status of laboratory rats

The aim of the experiment was to compare the influence of different forms of selenium (sodium selenite, selenium nanoparticles) on the organism of laboratory rats. The males of Wistar albino rat strain were sorted into 3 groups. The first group (n = 5) served as control with no selenium (Se) addition. The second group was fed with mixture containing 1.2 mg/kg of diet of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3). The third group (n = 5) was fed with mixture containing selenium nanoparticles (1.2 mg Se/kg of diet). After 30 days of experiment, the rats were slaughtered and antioxidant activity by TEAC and DPPH method were measured in liver, blood and kidney. Oxidative stress of organism was evaluated by levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Statistically significant differences were measured in liver samples by the TEAC method (decrease in Na2SeO3 group by 47%, p < 0.05) and DPPH (decrease in both selenium groups, Na2SeO3 by 43% and SeNPs by 41%, p < 0.05). The addition of selenium almost did not affect the concentration of SOD in the organism. There was a small decrease in the level of MDA in the liver and kidney compared to the control group. Results showed selenium nanoparticles may be a potential candidate for further evaluation as selenium supplement with antioxidant properties and be used against selenium deficiency in organism.