Cadmium (Cd) exposure leads to production of
reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are associated with Cd-induced neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
Selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) have high bioavailability and
antioxidant activities so it attracted wide spread attention. The present study examined the possible ameliorative effect of Se-NPs with diameters of 3-5 nm and 10-20 nm against
cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced neuro- and nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were treated with Se-NPs (0 or 0.5 mg/kg BW, s.c.) one hour prior to the
CdCl2 (0 or 5 mg/kg BW, p.o.). Pretreatment with Se-NPs significantly decreased CdCl2-induced elevation of serum kidney and brain damage
biomarkers; lipid peroxidation; the percent of DNA fragmentation and nearly normalized the activity of
acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and significantly increased the activity and expression of
antioxidant biomarkers in the
RNA and
protein levels. Se-NPs also attenuated CdCl2-induced upregulation of kidney and brain pro-apoptotic B-cell CLL/
lymphoma 2 associated X (Bax)
RNA and
protein levels with preventing the increased body burden of Cd and the altered Fe and Cu homeostasis. Histopathological analysis confirmed the biochemical and molecular outcomes. Our data stated that Se-NPs appear to be effective in ameliorating the adverse neurological and nephrotoxic effects induced by
CdCl2 partially through the scavenging of
free radicals,
metal ion chelation, averting apoptosis and altering the cell-protective pathways. The results indicated that Se-NPs could potentially included as an additive to Cd-based industries to control Cd-induced brain and renal injury.