Perinatal supplementation with selenium nanoparticles modified with ascorbic acid improves hepatotoxicity in rat gestational diabetes

Because of the potential bioactivities, nanoparticles have engendered hope in scientific communities for developing novel therapeutic strategies. In the present study, it was tested whether selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) can protect the liver in mothers with gestational diabetes (DM). The gestational rats were divided into three groups (n = 8). Group 1 (CN) received the vehicle, Group 2 (DM) received a single intraperitoneal injection of 165 mg/kg of alloxan, and Group 3 (DM + Se-NPs) received a single intraperitoneal injection of 165 mg/kg alloxan and then treated with Se-NPs at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg twice a week for 6 weeks; 1 week before gestation and continued for 5 weeks. The structure of the fabricated Se-NPs modified with ascorbic acid indicated that nano-Se was associated with a carbon matrix. The body weight of diabetic mothers was lower compared to control animals. The use of Se-NPs as a treatment has led to significant restoration of the body weight in diabetic rat mothers compared to those diabetic animals without treatment. Concentrations of alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, LDH, malondialdehyde, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were significantly increased in diabetic rats, while glutathione significantly declined in comparison to control gestational rats. Interestingly, Se-NPs in DM + Se-NPs rats were found to restore all these parameters to values close to the control levels. Se-NPs could improve the histological structure of the liver in gestational rats with diabetes (DM + Se-NPs). Our data demonstrate that Se-NPs shield the liver structure and function in gestational rats against alloxan-induced diabetes.