Effect of Sodium Selenite on Lipid Peroxidation and Glutathione in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetes-related dysfunctions are the major causes of mortality and morbidity for diabetic patients. Objectives: Selenium is a potent antioxidant. In the present study, we examined antioxidative activities of sodium selenite and possible protective effect of it on serum, liver and kidney lipid peroxidation and glutathione in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 40 Sprage Dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups randomly; group I as control, group II as sham treated with sodium selenite (1 mg/kg i.p. daily), group III as diabetic untreated, and group IV as diabetic treated with sodium selenite (1 mg/kg i.p. daily) after induce diabetes, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the 3rd and 4th groups by alloxan injection (s.c.). After 8 weeks, animals were anaesthetized, liver and kidney were then removed immediately and used fresh or kept frozen until analysis. Blood samples were also collected before killing of the rats to measure the lipid peroxidation and glutathione level. Results: Liver and kidney content of lipid peroxidation decreased in diabetic treated group compared with untreated group. Kidney content of glutathione significantly increased in diabetic treated group compared with untreated group. Serum level of glutathione and liver content of it slightly increased in diabetic treated group compared with untreated group. Conclusions: This study showed that sodium selenite might be a potent antioxidant and exert beneficial effects on the lipid peroxidation and glutathione in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats.