Biointeraction of sodium selenite and aflatoxin B₁ in the Mongolian Gerbil

Abstract

The interaction of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) was studied in 6‐wk‐old male Mongolian gerbils. Each of four groups of gerblls were fed one of the following diets during a 12‐wk experimental period: control (commercial Chow), 5.0 ppm Na₂SeO₃, 12.8 ppm AFB₁, or 5.0 ppm Na₂SeO₃ + 12.8 ppm AFB₁ Animals receiving Na₂SeO₃ in the diet, alone and with AFB₁, had a significantly lower mean total weight gain during the experiment than did control animals. Animals receiving both compounds together displayed a very high level of physical activity compared to the three other groups. Blood analysis showed no change in total leukocytes, but the relative percentage of lymphocytes increased and the percentage of neutrophils decreased concurrently in the order: control <AFB₁ < Na₂SeO₃ + AFB, < Na₂SeO₃. A significant reduction in organ weight relative to body weight was observed in the liver, kidney, and lung of the animals fed AFB₁ alone but only in the liver of those fed both Na₂SeO₃ and AFB_l No similar alterations were observed in the Na₂SeO₃ group. Histopathological examination revealed considerably less hepatic damage in animals fed Na₂SeO₃ with AFB₁ than in those receiving either compound alone. Renal and intestinal damage, however, was most severe in this double‐treatment group. Hepatic protein analysis revealed two protein peaks in the Na₂SeO₃ + AFB₁ group that were absent in all other groups. It was concluded that these proteins may be selenoproteins directly or indirectly involved in the lower incidence of histopathological damage in this group.