Selenium Administration Alleviates Toxicity of Chromium(VI) in the Chicken Brain

Selenium (Se) can play a protective role against heavy metal toxicity. This experiment aims to evaluate the effect of Se supplementation at different doses on the chicken brains. Oxidative stress was induced in the chicken brains by chromium(VI). A total of 105 Hyland brown male chickens were randomly divided into seven groups, including the control group, poisoned group [6%LD50 K2Cr2O7 body weight (B.W.)], and detoxification groups K2Cr2O7 (6%LD50) + Se (0.31, 0.63, 1.25, 2.50, and 5.00 Na2SeO3 mg/kg B.W.) orally in water for 42 days. The chickens were detected by the activities of mitochondrial membrane potential, 2'-benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and Ca2+-ATPase. Cr(VI) administration caused histopathological damage. In addition, changes in oxidative stress indicators were observed in the chicken's brains. Se supplement increased the levels of GSH, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and Ca2+-ATPase and reduced MDA activity in the detoxification groups. However, the high-dose Se supplementation groups of 2.50 and 5.00 mg/kg reduced the activities of GSH, MMP, and Ca2+-ATPase; increased the brain-body ratio; and increased SOD activity. In conclusion, Cr(VI) exposure caused oxidative stress. Se exerted a remission effect on toxic responses in the chicken brains. However, a high Se concentration was synergistic to the toxic effect of Cr(VI).