Investigation of in vivo protective effect of orally administered vitamin E and selenium against gentamicininduced renal and hepatic toxicity

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of vitamin E (Vit E) and selenium (Se) combination against gentamycin (GM)-induced renal and hepatic toxicity in rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were administrated GM at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day, with or without Se (1.5 mg/kg/day), and/or Vit E (250 mg/kg/day) for a period of 4 weeks. Serum samples from each rat were subjected to biochemical analysis for kidney and liver functions, while kidney and liver biopsies were also investigated by histological examination. Results: GM significantly increased serum creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and free radicals (p < 0.05). Moreover, GM induced significant histological and ultrastructural alterations in the renal and hepatic tissues of the rats. Exposure to a combination of Vit E and Se did not attenuate the GM-induced toxicity in renal and hepatic tissues. Conclusion: These results suggest that Vit E and Se combination have no significant protective role against GM-induced hepatic and renal toxicity.