ABSTRACT

 Evidences have implicated free radicals or reactive oxygen species in mercuric chloride-induced nephrotoxicity. Diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2, a simple and stable organoselenium compound, has been proposed as a good candidate for pharmacological and therapeutic purposes. This particular study was designed to investigate the protective effect of (PhSe)2 against mercuric chloride-induced nephrotoxicity.

 In this study, 44 female Wistar rats with weights ranging from 125g and 180g were randomly divided into 5 groups. Control rats in groups 1 and 2 were administered normal saline and/or corn oil. Group 3 animals were treated with (PhSe)2 alone while those in Groups 4 and 5 were challenged with HgCl2. Group 5 rats were additionally co-treated with (PhSe)2. Mercuric chloride and (PhSe)2  were given orally at a specific dose of 5 mg/kg/day. Integrity of kidney was assessed by urea and creatinine levels and oxidative stress indices were also determined. Results were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with significance level set at p