Zn and Se supplementation abrogated metals-(metaloids) mixture-mediated ocular-thymus toxicity via modulation of oxido-inflammatory and antiapoptotic mechanisms in female Sprague Dawley rats

Abstract

Introduction and aim. This is an evaluation of the protective effects of Zn and Se in the eye and thymus of rats exposed to cocktail noxious metal mixtures (CNMM) (Al, Pb, Hg and Mn) in ameliorating ocular pathologies due to autoimmunity. Material and methods. Female Sprague rats were grouped into eight (n=5) and orally exposed to various treatments for a period of 60 days: (1): the control group receive deionized water only; (2): the CNMM only group received lead acetate Pb(C2H3O2)2 (20 mg/kg), AlCl3 (35 mg/kg), HgCl2 (0.40 mg/kg) and MnCl2 (0.56 mg/kg); (3) received CNMM+ZnCl2, 0.80 mg/kg; (4) received CNMM+Na2SeO3, 1.50 mg/kg; (5) received CNMM+ZnCl2, 0.80 mg/kg and Na2SeO3, 1.50 mg/kg combination. Oxidative stress markers, nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factor 2, nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and caspase-3 and histopathological changes were determined. Results. CNMM decreased antioxidants levels but increased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide concentrations. CNMM increased levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factor 2, and nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and caspase-3. There was moderate retinal degeneration and total cell loss at the ganglionic cell layer in the eye; severe degenerative thymus, lymphocyte depletion and multifocal necrosis in CNMM only. Conclusion. Supplementation with Zn and Se reduced the biochemical and histopathological changes in the eye and thymus in response to CNMM exposure. © 2024 Publishing Office of the University of Rzeszow. All rights reserved.