Protective efficacy of selenite against lead-induced neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

PLoS One. 2013 Apr 26;8(4):e62387. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062387. Print 2013.

Abstract

Background: Selenium is an essential micronutrient that has a narrow exposure window between its beneficial and toxic effects. This study investigated the protective potential of selenite (IV) against lead (Pb(II))-induced neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Principal findings: The results showed that Se(IV) (0.01 µM) pretreatment ameliorated the decline of locomotion behaviors (frequencies of body bends, head thrashes, and reversal ) of C. elegans that are damaged by Pb(II) (100 µM) exposure. The intracellular ROS level of C. elegans induced by Pb(II) exposure was significantly lowered by Se(IV) supplementation prior to Pb(II) exposure. Finally, Se(IV) protects AFD sensory neurons from Pb(II)-induced toxicity.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that Se(IV) has protective activities against Pb(II)-induced neurotoxicity through its antioxidant property.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / drug effects*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Cytoprotection / drug effects
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Intracellular Space / drug effects
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Lead / toxicity*
  • Locomotion / drug effects
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Neurotoxins / toxicity*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / drug effects
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / metabolism
  • Sodium Selenite / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Neurotoxins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Lead
  • Sodium Selenite

Grants and funding

This work was financially supported in part by grants (NSC 100-2313-B-002-013 and NSC 101-2313-B-002-041-MY3) from the National Science Council of Taiwan to VHC Liao and a postdoctoral fellowship grant (NSC 100-2811-B-002-112) from the National Science Council of Taiwan to YC Shi. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.