Toxicologie environnementale et analytique

Hepatic Oxidative Stress Induced by Zinc and Opposite Effect of Selenium in Oryctolagus Cuniculus

Abstract

Rouabhi R, Gasmi S, Boussekine S and Kebieche M

The objective of this work is to study the opposite effect of Selenium on the toxicity induced by zinc in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Twenty rabbits were given repeated per os (p.o.) administration, five with zinc chloride at 0.24 mg/Kg/day, five with 0.05 μg/kg/day of selenium, five with mixture (ZnCl2/Se) 0.24mg/kg+0.05μg/kg/day and five rabbits served as controls. In the present study, Hepatotoxic effect of zinc chloride translated by a decrease of body weight (weight gain), a decreased of lipid rate, an increased in carbohydrate amount and proteins level in the liver. The pro-oxidant effect of zinc chloride on hepatocytes was first investigated. The gavage of ZnCl2 into rabbits at the dose of 0.24 mg/kg/day, induced stress by a significant reduction of GST, CAT and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, glutathione (GSH) level. In addition, a significant increase in malonedialdehyde (MDA) levels was observed, (index of lipid peroxidation). On the other hand, the supplementation of selenium (Se) 0.05 μg/kg/day orally in rabbits treated with zinc has improved some biochemical parameters and decreased the other harmful effects of zinc; selenium seems to be a simple and effective antioxidant to reduce the imbalance state between the formation of free radicals and antioxidant systems.