Therapeutic Potential of Selenium as a Component of Preservation Solutions for Kidney Transplantation

Selenium has strong antioxidant properties and diverse effects on the immune system. The aim of the study was to analyse the protective effect of selenium as a component of a kidney preservation solution on the prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury of nephrons. The solution was modified by the addition of Se (1 µg/L), prolactin (0.1 µg/L) and Se with prolactin (1 µg/L Se + 0.1 µg/L PRL). The study used a model for storing isolated porcine kidneys in Biolasol^® (modified Biolasol^®), which minimizes ischemia-reperfusion injury of grafts. The introduction of Se⁴⁺ ions at a dose of 1 µg/L into the Biolasol^® preservation solution in the form of Na₂SeO₃ caused an increase in the activity/concentration of the analysed biochemical parameters: aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, urea and protein. This suggests an adverse effect of Se⁴⁺ on nephron function during ischemia-reperfusion. The best graft protection was obtained by using Biolasol^® modified with the addition of selenium (IV) at a dose of 1 µg/L and prolactin at a concentration of 0.1 µg/L. We proposed the mechanism of prolactin action in the metabolic reduction of selenite (SO₃^2-) during ischemia/reperfusion.