Efficacy of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene) and selenium supplement on D-galactosamine-induced lung injury

Effects of vitamin combination with selenium on acute lung injury in rats were examined in this study.Four experimental groups of rats were used as follows: group 1, animals administered intraperitoneallyphysiological saline solution; group 2, rats fed with vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and sodiumselenate for three days; group 3, a single intraperitoneally injection of D-galactosamine (D-GaIN; 500mg kg-1) into rats; group 4, animals fed with the antioxidant vitamin combination with selenium for threedays, and administered D-GaIN. Lung tissues were examined using light microscope, and the followingbiochemical parameters were measured glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and tissuefactor (TF), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathioneperoxidase (GPx), paraoxonase (PON), myeloperoxidase (MPO), xanthine oxidase (XO) and sodiumpotassium ATPase (Na+/K+-ATPase) activities in lung tissues. Extensive edema in peripheral areas,mononuclear cell infiltrations around venules and locally a honeycomb-like structure were observedin the lung of group 3 rats. GSH, GPx and PON activities were decreased, whereas LPO level, TF,LDH, CAT, SOD, MPO and XO activities were increased in rats treated with D-GalN. Administrationof the antioxidant combination protected lung tissue against damage by enhancing biochemical chancesand pulmonary edema in group 3 animals, while no significant effect on protection of pulmonaryinflammation was observed. In conclusion, the antioxidant vitamin supplementation with selenium canbe used in the prevention of acute lung injury.