Nickel-selenium interaction-time dependent biochemical alterations and metal decorporation in rats

The influence of selenium on the disposition of nickel and on Ni induced metallothionein levels was studied in female rats. Concomitant administration of Se (6.3 mumol/kg, intraperitoneally) and 63Ni (0.12 mmol/kg subcutaneously) lowered the Ni burden of all the soft organs and the plasma ceruloplasmin levels. Selenium caused no potentiating effect on the Ni induced hepatic MT. However, 3 days later, the lowered MT levels appeared related to the corresponding decrease in hepatic Ni content at day 6. The Ni selenide excretable complex and Ni-selenide protein complex appear to be probable mechanisms of the Ni-Se interaction in the present study.