CAPACITY OF TWO SOURCES OF SELENIUM TO REDUCE HEPATOTOCIXITY CAUSED BY AFLATOXINS INGESTION

Abstract

Eighteen wistar rats were used to evaluate the effect of sodium selenate (Na₂SeO₄) and of selenium originating from yeasts (SeL) on the damages induced by aflatoxins. The animals were distributed in six groups, of three repetition each: group 1 = control; group 2 = 480 mg aflatoxins kg-¹ (AF); group 3 = 0.5 mg of Na₂SeO₄ per kg of diet; group 4 = 0.5 mg of SeL per kg of diet; group 5 = AF + 0.5 mg of Na₂SeO₄ per kg of diet and group 6 = AF + 0.5 mg of SeL per kg of diet. After 28 days of essay, the animals were slaughtered for the histo-pathological study. The animals of the group AF showed few hepatotoxicity signs. In the groups AF plus Na₂SeO₄ and AF plus SeL, the animals presented livers very well preserved. The animals that received Na₂SeO₄ or SeL showed some alterations. In conclusion, the sodium selenate and SeL showed potential to reduce the damages caused by aflatoxins.