Oral administration of sodium selenite minimizes cisplatin toxicity on proximal tubules of rats

Cisplatin (c-DDP) is a widely used antineoplastic drug whose main side effect is nephrotoxicity. Selenium, administered intravenously or intraperitoneally, has been shown to provided protection against c-DDP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. In the present study, the protective effect of orally administered sodium selenite on c-DDP toxicity was further examined. Animals treated with c-DDP alone showed increased urinary volume, decreased creatinine clearance (GFR), and a rise in urinary N-acetyl-(beta-D-glucosaminidase) (NAG) isoenzyme B activity. When sodium selenite was given prior to c-DDP, rats showed less GFR decline, delayed urinary volume increases, and no urinary NAG isoenzyme B activity increment. It is suggested that a single oral dose of sodium selenite given prior to c-DDP administration, although not preventing deterioration of renal function, partially protects rats from early proximal tubular injury.