Ameliorative Effects of Selenium on Monocrotophos Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rabbits

Abstract

Monochrotophos (MCP), a widely utilized organophosphate pesticide in agriculture, is highly risky to the hepatic health of most animal species. The present study was designed to examine the ameliorative effects of Selenium (Se) on MCP induced hepatotoxicity in male rabbits. A total of 25 normal male rabbits, weighing between 1200 and 1500 g, were randomly assigned to five groups. First group received normal saline and served as the control, second group orally received MCP (0.1 mg/kg bw), third group received MCP + Se (2µg/kg bw), fourth group received MCP + Se (4µg/kg bw) and fifth group received MCP + Se (8µg/kg bw) daily for 25 days. Blood samples were collected at the end of the treatment and analyzed for serum estimation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (T.P), albumin (Alb), total bilirubin (T.B), and direct bilirubin (D.B). Exposure to MCT caused a significant increase in serum levels of ALT and AST in MCT treated group (G2:133.2±1.303, 118±1.140 respectively) when compared to the control group (G1:23.2±0.836, 24.8±0.836 respectively), while those of Se + MCP treated groups (G3:98.6±1.140, 91.2±1.303, G4: 81.8±1.303, 84.6±1.140 respectively) showed significant decrease comparing to that of the MCT treated group. Serum levels of Alb and T.P. of all treatment groups did not show any significant difference compared to the control group. Selenium as an antioxidant showed ameliorated effects against the toxicity of MCP in rabbits, which was dose dependent. Se mitigates MCP-induced liver damage and restored its serum biomarker levels. Further research is warranted to elucidate Selenium's protective mechanisms and their relevance to human health.