Nanoselenium attenuates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Using selenium nanoparticles has received attention in recent years because of their therapeutic benefits due to their anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects. This research was conducted to evaluate the possible protective impact of nano-selenium (Nano-Se) on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury using an animal model. Using clamping left renal pedicle within 45 min, I/R injury was induced. The animals were randomly divided into nine groups of control, nano-Se (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg) alone, I/R control, and I/R rats administrated with nano-Se. Thirty days aftertreatment, animals were sacrificed to be assessed biochemically and histopathologically. Nano-Se in I/R groups significantly decreased serum creatinine, urea levels, renal histological damage, and increased antioxidant status. Also, our findings demonstrated that the administration of nano-Se caused a significant increase in the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in kidney tissue of I/R rats. Therefore, nano-Se possesses renoprotective effects, and this effect might be attributable to its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. These renoprotective effects may depend on the increased EGF expression level in kidney tissue and improved the structure of the kidney tissue. Thus, our research provided biochemical and histological data supporting the potential clinical use of nano-Se for the treatment of certain kidney disorders.