Antioxidant role of selenium against maneb-induced cardiotoxicity in mice

Mediha Sefi1,2, Mariem Chaâbane3, Safa Bejaoui4

  • 1Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Sciences Faculty of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia. essafimediha@gmail.com.

Insights

Selenium (Se) supplementation effectively counteracted maneb-induced cardiotoxicity and harmful fatty acid changes in mice. This study highlights selenium

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology and Pharmacology
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Maneb, a widely used fungicide, poses risks of cardiotoxicity and metabolic disturbances.
  • Oxidative stress and altered lipid profiles are key indicators of maneb-induced cardiac damage.
  • Selenium's antioxidant properties suggest a potential protective role against xenobiotic toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of selenium (Se) in mitigating cardiotoxicity induced by maneb exposure.
  • To investigate the impact of selenium on fatty acid alterations in the context of maneb toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Adult male Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups: control, selenium-only, maneb-only, and maneb + selenium.
  • Maneb was administered via intraperitoneal injection, while sodium selenite was given orally.
  • Biochemical markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant status, cardiac damage, lipid profile, and fatty acid composition were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Maneb exposure significantly increased markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, protein carbonyls) and cardiac damage (LDH, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C).
  • Maneb altered antioxidant defense systems and induced unfavorable changes in fatty acid profiles, decreasing n-3 PUFAs and increasing MUFAs.
  • Selenium co-administration normalized these biochemical parameters and reversed adverse fatty acid alterations, with histopathological findings supporting the protective effects.

Conclusions:

  • Selenium demonstrates significant protective effects against maneb-induced cardiotoxicity and associated biochemical dysregulations in mice.
  • Selenium supplementation can restore normal fatty acid metabolism and antioxidant capacity compromised by maneb exposure.
  • Selenium is a promising therapeutic agent for preventing or treating maneb-related cardiovascular and metabolic damage.

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