Immunomodulatory effect of selenosemicarbazides and selenium inorganic compounds, distribution in organs after selenium supplementation

Antioxidant properties of selenium producing a protective barrier against f ree radicals play an important role in numerous metabolic and immunologic p rocesses associated with oxidation- reduction reactions which take place du ring intracellular digestion of phagocyted bacteria. The aim of our study w as to examine the properties of an organic compound of selenium, 4-(o-tolil o)- selenosemicarbazide of p-chlorobenzoic acid in terms of its retention i n organs, effect on erythropoesis and phagocytic abilities of neutrophiles as well as antioxidant properties in neutrophiles tested with NBT test. Thi s compound as well as inorganic sodium selenate was given to Swiss mice at the dose of 10(-3) g Se/kg for the period of 10 days. The concentrations of selenium in livers of mice treated with sodium selenate and selenosemicarb azide were found to be higher than in controls (18,7 mu g lg(-1) and 23.2 m u g lg(-1) vs. 12 mu g lg(-1), respectively). Analysis of blood cells count has shown a significant decrease in neutrophile levels in both groups trea ted with selenium. The influence of selenium compounds on phagocytosis and especially NBT test has been determined (3.8% of positive cells in the cont rols vs. 2.2% and 0.9% in the groups treated with sodium selenate and selen osemicarbazide, respectively). Our preliminary investigations suggest that selenosemicarbazides are biologically active compounds and can modify neutr ophile functions.