Effect of in vitro treatment of rat hepatocytes with selenium, and/or cadmium on cell viability, glucose output, and cellular glutathione

The effects of cadmium as cadmium acetate and selenium as sodium selenite on glucose output, cell viability, and glutathione levels in rat hepatocytes were evaluated. Isolated hepatocytes (200 mg wet wt cells) derived from naive male Sprague-Dawley rats (210–260 g) were incubated at 37°C, with sodium acetate (C 2H 3NaO 2; NaAc) 12.5 μM, 6.3 μM, 3.2 μM; cadmium acetate (C 4H 6CdO 4; Cd) 12.5 μM, 6.3 μM, 3.2 μM; sodium selenite (Na 2SeO 3; Se) 25 μM, 12.5 μM, 6.3 μM; or Se (6.3 μM) and Cd (3.2 μM). After an incubation period of 2 h, glucose output, cell viability, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were determined. The results obtained indicate that incubation of hepatocytes with Se (12.5 or 25 μM) or Cd (3.2, 6.3 or 12.5 μM) resulted in a significant decrease in glucose output, cell viability, and glutathione levels ( P < 0.05) when compared to those incubated with NaAc (control). Selenium in concentrations of 6.3 μM decreased glutathione levels and cell viability only. The damaging effects induced by Cd on hepatocytes were significantly greater than those induced by Se. The decrease in glutathione levels observed following Cd treatment was considerably lowered when Se was concurrently added to the incubation medium. These findings suggest that Se may in part protect against the deleterious effects of Cd on hepatocytes.