The protective role of sodium selenite and vitamin E on cardiotoxic effect of mercuric chloride in rats

Mercuric chloride, a heavy metal, has been recognized as a highly toxic metal to both humans and animals. In this study, sodium selenite, vitamin E, vitamin E+sodium selenite, mercuric chloride, sodium selenite+mercuric chloride, vitamin E+mercuric chloride and sodium selenite+vitamin E+mercuric chloride were given to male rats through gavage. Histopathological changes were investigated using light microscope, antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehite level, which is the product of lipit peroxidation, were determined in the rats 4 weeks after the administration compared to control group. At the end of the 4th week, there is no significant differences were observed between control, sodium selenite, vitamin E and vitamin E+sodium selenite groups. In mercuric chloride treated group while SOD, CAT, GPx and GST activities were significantly lower than the control group, MDA levels were significantly higher compared to the control group. In sodium selenite+mercuric chloride, vitamin E+mercuric chloride and sodium seletine+vitamin E+mercuric chloride treated groups we observed the protective effects on examining parameters but not completely. While some histopathological changes were detected in heart tissue in mercuric chloride treated group, less histopathological changes were observed in sodium selenite+mercuric chloride, vitamin E+mercuric chloride and sodium selenite+vitamin E+mercuric chloride treated groups. As a result, sodium selenite, vitamin E and vitamin E+sodium selenite significantly reduce mercuric chloride induced cardiotoxicity in rats, but not protect completely.Key Words : Mercuric chloride, sodium selenite, vitamin E, cardiotoxicity, antioxidant enzymes, histopathology