Selenium Attenuates Cholestasis-Induced Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Alleviating Liver Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Rats

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation are primarily implicated in the development and progression of liver injury during cholestasis. Selenium, a known essential antioxidant trace element, was found to provide a remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on various diseases. Aim: This study was planned to evaluate the possible protective effect of selenium supplementation in a rat model of chronic cholestasis. Design: Experimental study. Methods: This study was carried out on adult male rats allocated randomly into sham, 4 weeks bile duct ligated (BDL), and BDL-selenium treated (BDL-Se) groups. Sodium selenite was given by gavage daily, in a dose of 100 µg/kg for 6 weeks, starting 2 weeks before the BDL. Results: BDL group presented a significant increase in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and liver levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1), associated with a significant decrease in serum levels of total proteins (TP) compared to sham group . Selenium supplementation significantly lowered serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and liver levels of MDA, TNF-α, and TGF-β1, along with a significant increase in serum TP in BDL-Se group versus BDL rats. Histological analysis of liver showed a significant attenuation of the inflammatory score and a significant decrease in the percentage area of collagen deposition in BDL-Se group versus BDL rats. Conclusion: Selenium supplementation reduces liver injury and improves liver functions in experimental cholestasis probably by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which further alleviate the liver fibrosis.