Role of selenium in protection against lead intoxication

The administration of selenium concomitantly with lead in rats restrained the lead induced enzymuria, proteinuria, enhanced urinary excretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid, inhibition of the activities of certain renal enzymes, blood delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and blood, liver and kidney uptake of lead. The protective effect of selenium against lead toxicity may be attributed to a competition between selenium and lead for binding with the functional bioligands or to the in vivo formation of lead selenide.