Protective effects of selenomethionine against cisplatin-induced renal toxicity in mice and rats

The effect of selenomethionine on the toxicity of cisplatin has been studie d in mice and rats. When selenomethionine (0.5-4 mg kg(-1)) was administered intraperitoneally to mice 1 h before intraperitoneal cisplatin (6 mg kg(-1)), the toxicity of cisplatin, as measured by loss of body weight and blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, was reduced significantly. The protection was dose -dependent but less when given orally. Similar results were obtained with r ats. Deterioration of renal function was characterized by reduced creatinin e clearance, and increased excretion of urinary protein was significantly r eversed. Partial but significant protection was also observed against capsu lation-induced reduction of white blood-cell count. Protective properties w ere further demonstrated by increased survival of mice pretreated with sele nomethionine compared with the lethality observed for animals given cisplat in only. These results suggested that selenomethionine protects against cisplatin-in duced renal and other toxicity. The study has many clinical implications in cancer chemotherapy and needs further investigation.