Nano‑selenium alleviates cadmium-induced blood-brain barrier destruction by restoring the Wnt7A/β-catenin pathway

Selenium (Se), a highly beneficial animal feed additive, exhibits remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nano‑selenium (Nano-Se) is an advanced formulation of Se featuring a specialized drug delivery vehicle, with good bioavailability, higher efficacy, and lower toxicity compared to the traditional form of Se. With the advancement of industry, cadmium (Cd) contamination occurs in different countries and regions and thereby contaminating different food crops, and the degree of pollution is degree increasing year by year. The present investigation entailed the oral administration of CdCl2 and/or Nano-Se to male chickens of the Hy-Line Variety White breed, which are one day old, subsequent to a 7-day adaptive feeding period, for a duration of 90 days. The study aimed to elucidate the potential protective impact of Nano-Se on Cd exposure. The study found that Nano-Se demonstrates potential in mitigating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction characterized by impairment of adherens junctions (AJS) and tight junctions (TJS) by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. In addition, the data uncovered that Nano-Se demonstrates a proficient ability in alleviating BBB impairment and inflammatory reactions caused by Cd through the modulation of the Wnt7A/β-catenin pathway, highlights its potential to maintain brain homeostasis. Hence, this research anticipates that the utilization of Nano-Se effectively mitigate the detrimental impacts associated with Cd exposure on the BBB. Nano-Se shows superior antioxidant effects with lower toxicity, and higher absorption and bioavailability. This research endeavors to explicate the mechanism through which Nano-Se mitigates Cd from entering the cerebrum and causing damage. Nano-Se reduces ROS production and ameliorates BBB dysfunction. In addition, it discovered that Nano-Se effectively mitigates damage caused by Cd-induced BBB injury and inflammatory response by regulating the Wnt7A/β-catenin pathway, which highlights its potential to maintain cerebral homeostasis. [Display omitted] •Nano-Se alleviates the damage of BBB caused by Cd.•Nano-Se ameliorates Cd-induced AJs and TJs damage.•Nano-Se reduces ROS generation induced by Cd.•Nano-Se can modify Wnt7A/FZD4/β-catenin pathway.