Determining the protective effect of sodium selenite on the toxic effect of methilimidazole

4-Methylimidazole (4-MET) is a food by-product resulting from the heat treatment that gives the caramel color to foods and beverages. In this thesis study, it was aimed to determine the structural changes caused by 4-MET and Sodium Selenite (SS) applied to human blood cells under in vitro conditions and to evaluate the antioxidant enzyme activities. The blood samples used in the study were divided into 8 groups as the control group and the administration group, and no chemical substance was suitable for the control group. After 4-MET, SS and 4-MET + SS combination was applied to erythrocytes, its effects on MDA level and SOD, CAT and GPx enzyme activities were measured by spectrophotometer and compared with the control group. While values close to the control group were obtained in the groups in which 1 µM SS and 1 µM 4-MET were applied, a statistically decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities and an increase in the amount of MDA were observed in the 10 µM and 100 µM 4-MET groups. As a result of the application of SS together with 10 µM and 100 µM 4-MET, an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities was observed, and the partial protective effect of SS on antioxidant enzymes was determined. According to the Komet test, no significant changes were observed in leukocytes treated with 1 µM SS and 1 µM 4-MET, while an increase in DNA tail percentage, tail length and tail moment values was observed in 10 µM and 100 µM 4-MET applied leukocytes. Thus, the genotoxic effect of 4-MET on blood tissue has been revealed. With this study, it has been shown that uncontrolled consumption of 4-MET can have harmful effects on blood cells, and it has been determined that these effects are reduced when SS is used together with 4-MET.