Influence of selenium on hepatic mitochondrial antioxidant capacity in ducklings intoxicated with aflatoxin B₁

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of selenium on hepatic mitochondrial antioxidant capacity in ducklings administrated with aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)). Ninety 7-day-old ducklings were randomly divided into three groups (groups I-III). Group I was used as a blank control. Group II was administered with AFB(1) (0.1 mg/kg body weight). Group III was administered with AFB(1) (0.1 mg/kg body weight) plus selenium (sodium selenite, 1 mg/kg body weight). All treatments were given once daily for 21 days. The results showed that the activities of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GR) in group II ducklings significantly decreased when compared with group I (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the content of hepatic mitochondrial malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased (P < 0.01). However, the activities of hepatic mitochondrial SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GR in group III ducklings significantly increased when compared with group II (P < 0.05). In addition, the content of hepatic mitochondrial MDA significantly decreased (P < 0.01). These results revealed that AFB(1) significantly induced hepatic mitochondrial antioxidant dysfunction. However, sodium selenite could significantly ameliorate the negative effect induced by AFB(1).