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Selenium Alleviates Chromium(VI)-Induced Ileum Damage and Cecal Microbial Disturbances in Mice

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Abstract

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is one of the most common environmental contaminants caused by its broad industrial applications. Importantly, exposure to Cr(VI) induces oxidative damage and apoptosis in animal cells. Studies have shown that selenium (Se) can alleviate the toxic effects of Cr(VI) by functioning as an antioxidant and/or by chelating Cr(VI) into biologically inert complexes, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we evaluated whether Se can ameliorate ileum damage and cecal microbial disturbances induced by Cr(VI) in vivo. Mice administered Cr(VI) for 30 days presented histopathological damage, reduced responses to oxidative stress, and increased expression of apoptosis-related genes in the ileum compared with those in the control (non-exposed) group. Se alleviated the histopathological damage and decreased the oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by Cr(VI) in the ileum. In addition, Cr(VI) disturbed cecal microflora, and it was partially reversed by Se treatment. These findings demonstrate that the damaging and potentially pathological effects of Cr(VI) on the ileum and cecal microflora can be effectively alleviated with Se treatment.

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Funding

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31802248), Science and Technology Innovation Project of Universities in Shanxi Province (2019L0361), fund for introducing talents and doctoral research of the Shanxi Agricultural University (2017YJ08), and the Shanxi Province Outstanding Doctor Award Fund (SXYBKY201750).

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  1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, 030801, People’s Republic of China

    Yanbing Zhao, Huan Zhang, Dezheng Hao, Jinglu Wang, Ding Zhang, Zilong Sun & Ci Liu

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  1. Yanbing Zhao
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Correspondence to Ci Liu.

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All animal experimental procedures were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Shanxi Agricultural University.

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Zhao, Y., Zhang, H., Hao, D. et al. Selenium Alleviates Chromium(VI)-Induced Ileum Damage and Cecal Microbial Disturbances in Mice. Biol Trace Elem Res 200, 4750–4761 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-03061-x

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