Mechanistic Modulation of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Hepatic Injury by Chitosan-Coated Selenium Nanoparticles:

Asmaa Ramadan1, Eman Hamza2, Eman Ali Elkordy3

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt.

Pharmaceutics
|March 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Chitosan-coated selenium nanoparticles (CS-SENPs) offer superior hepatoprotection against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver damage in rats compared to selenium alone. CS-SENPs effectively reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis, restoring normal liver structure.

Area of Science:

  • Nanomedicine
  • Hepatology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces significant liver damage.
  • Selenium (SE) has known hepatoprotective properties.
  • Chitosan-coated selenium nanoparticles (CS-SENPs) offer a novel delivery system for SE.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanistic hepatoprotective efficacy of SE and CS-SENPs.
  • To evaluate the effects of CS-SENPs on LPS-induced liver injury in a rat model.
  • To compare the efficacy of CS-SENPs with conventional SE treatment.

Main Methods:

  • CS-SENPs were synthesized and characterized (particle size, PDI, zeta potential, TEM, FTIR).
  • Hepatoprotective effects were assessed in male albino rats exposed to LPS.
  • Evaluations included histopathology, ELISA for HSP-47 and STEAP-3, oxidative stress markers, and immunohistochemistry for HO-1, TLR-4, STAT-3, TRAF-6, IL-17A, and HSP-90.

Main Results:

  • CS-SENPs exhibited optimal nanoparticle characteristics (108.54 nm size, 0.125 PDI, +63.92 mV zeta potential).
  • CS-SENPs significantly reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA), restored glutathione (GSH), upregulated HO-1, and downregulated STEAP-3 more effectively than SE.
  • CS-SENPs demonstrated superior anti-inflammatory (suppressed TLR-4, IL-17A, TRAF-6, STAT-3) and antifibrotic (suppressed HSP-47, HSP-90) effects, preserving near-normal liver architecture.

Conclusions:

  • CS-SENPs provide superior and multi-targeted hepatoprotection against LPS-induced liver damage.
  • The enhanced efficacy is attributed to improved redox and iron balance, potent anti-inflammatory actions, and antifibrotic properties.
  • CS-SENPs represent a promising therapeutic strategy for liver injury.