Selenium Heals the Chlorpyrifos-Induced Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels in the Rat Tissues

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), mainly exposed by oral, dermal, or inhalation, is a broad-spectrum organophosphate pesticide used in pest control, increasing agricultural productivity, and being considered toxic to living things. Selenium (Se), an essential component of selenoenzymes and selenoproteins, is an essential element that protects cells from oxidative stress and has antioxidant properties. The study aimed to examine the oxidative stress caused by different doses of CPF exposure in brain, liver, and kidney tissues while observing the healing effect of Se application on tissue damage and antioxidant levels. A total of 56 rats were divided into seven different groups: 1st group control (water); 2nd group sham (corn oil); the 3rd group was CPF-L (5.4 mg/kg CPF); the 4th group was CPF-H (13.5 mg/kg CPF); the 5th group was Se (3 mg/kg Se); 6th group was CPF-L + Se (5.4 mg/kg CPF + 3 mg/kg Se); the 7th group was CPF-H + Se (13.5 mg/kg CPF + 3 mg/kg Se). The brain, liver, and kidney tissues were obtained from rats sacrificed 6 weeks later. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), oxidant, and antioxidant parameters were examined in the tissues. The results suggest that CPF causes neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and renal toxicity by altering AChE levels, inducing lipid peroxidation, and decreasing antioxidant systems. Se treatment increased the activities of AChE and, antioxidant defense system and reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the brain, liver, and kidney tissues of rats. Se was found to heal and also protect these tissues against these changes resulting from CPF exposure.