The study of possible application of sodium selenite as an adjuvant in lithium treatment: an effect on oxidative processes in heart of rats

M. Kiełczykowska, J. Kocot, R. Żelazowska, A. Lewandowska, I. Musik

Chair and Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland. joanna.kocot@umlub.pl

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: Despite numerous side effects, including heart disturbances, lithium is still used in medicine. Selenium treatment can protect against toxicity of harmful substances and side effects of other drugs. In this study possibility of sodium selenite application as an adjuvant in lithium treatment was studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with: control – saline; Li group – Li2CO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.); Se group – Na2SeO3 (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.); Li+Se group simultaneously with Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w. and 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w., respectively) by stomach tube for a period of six weeks, once a day. In heart homogenates total antioxidant status (TAS), activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were determined. SOD/GPx, CAT/GPx and SOD/CAT ratios were evaluated.

RESULTS: TAS was insignificantly increased, particularly in groups receiving selenium. GPx was slightly decreased in Li group and partially restored by Li+Se treatment. Selenium markedly enhanced AA concentration vs. control. MDA was increased significantly in Li and Se groups and restored in Li+Se treated. SOD/GPx and CAT/GPx. Ratios were slightly increased in Li group and restored by selenium co-administration.

CONCLUSIONS: As Li+Se treatment resulted in no significant differences vs. control and restored MDA, SOD/GPx and CAT/GPx ratios. Research on selenium application during lithium therapy seems to be worth continuation.

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