Abstract :
Background: Lead is a heavy metal that affects the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, neurological, and reproductive systems when ingested. It is widely distributed in the environment and can persist for lengthy periods of time in biotopes. Selenium (Se) is a vital trace mineral that plays a variety of roles at the cellular level to maintain the health of both animal and humans, thus, making it relevant to a variety of pathophysiological disorders. It has structural and enzymatic functions, and is better known for its catalytic and antioxidant properties. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin whose major function is to act as an antioxidant, protecting our cells from damage that can lead to diseases like cancer.
Aim: The study was aimed at evaluating the therapeutic potentials of selenium and vitamin E on ovarian and renal tissues of lead exposed rats.
Materials and methods: Thirty (30) female wistar rats were weighed and randomly assigned to five groups: A, B, C, D, and E. Each group consisted of six rats which received vehicle and treatment for 30 days. Group A: Control. This group of rats was given rat feed and water ad libitum. Group B: lead acetate (Pb). Rats in this group received rat feeds and were gavaged with lead acetate (250mg/kg body weight). Group C: lead acetate (Pb) Vitamin E. The rats received feeds and were gavaged with lead acetate (250mg/kg body weight) and vitamin E (600mg/kg body weight). Group D: lead acetate (Pb) Selenium. The rats received rat feeds and were gavaged with lead acetate (250mg/kg body weight) and Selenium (0.5mg/Kg body weight). Group E: lead acetate (Pb) Vitamin E Selenium. The rats received rat feeds and were gavaged with lead acetate (250mg/kg body weight) and a combination of vitamin E (600mg/kg body weight) and selenium (0.5mg/Kg body weight).
Results: The histology result shows normal ovarian tissue architecture in Groups B, C, and E, while in Group D there was proliferation of ovarian stroma. The study reveals that the substance (lead) administered is non-toxic at the dosage, concentration and duration of administration while selenium potentiates the toxic effects of lead in the ovarian tissue. Whereas, lead caused nephrotoxicity of renal tissue in groups B and D while vitamin E only and the combination of vitamin E and selenium shows protective effect.
Conclusion: The results of the study indicates that lead induces oxidative damage in tissues as evidenced by decreased hormonal levels due to increased activities of beta reductase, a progesterone metabolizing enzyme, but its deleterious effects on ovarian tissue is dose and duration dependent, however, the reverse is the case with the renal tissue. The administration of selenium alone showed no therapeutic effect on both ovarian and renal tissues, but rather induced proliferation of ovarian stroma and tubular necrosis.
Keyword :
Lead acetate, Selenium, Vitamin E, antioxidant.