effects of selenium nanoparticles on biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in lead-intoxicated rats

Background: lead pollution -a major environmental problems in industrial countries- is associated with health problems. the present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of selenium nanoparticles in a lead-induced testicular toxicity model.methods: in total, 30 wistar rats were divided into three groups and treated (except the normal control) with lead acetate in drinking water (1,000 mg/l) for five weeks. the negative and positive control rats received saline intraperitoneally, and the third group received intraperitoneal injections of selenium nanoparticles (0.5 mg/kg).results: the lead-treated group showed a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum aspartate aminotransferase (ast), serum alanine aminotransferase (alt), and malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.01). the lead-intoxicated rats treated with selenium nanoparticles showed a significant decrease in serum ast and alt compared to the untreated negative controls (p < 0.5). the histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues indicated lead-induced injuries (e.g., necrotic cells in liver and kidneys). the selenium-treated group showed reduced histopathological signs of lead-induced injuries. lipid peroxidation levels were also lower in the selenium-treated rats compared to the negative controls (p < 0.05). conclusion: this experimental study confirmed the protective effects of selenium nanoparticles in the rats exposed to chronic lead-induced toxicity. however, further experiments are required to evaluate the possible side-effects and complications.