Selenium nanoparticles with low-level ionizing radiation exposure ameliorate nicotine-induced inflammatory impairment in rat kidney.

Occupational exposure to low-level ionizing radiation (<1 Gy) was shown to enhance cell protection via attenuating an established inflammatory process. Nicotine, a major toxic component of cigarette smoke, is responsible for smoking-mediated renal dysfunction. The present study was therefore aimed to investigate the protective impact of ginger Zingiber officinale selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) with whole-body low-dose gamma radiation (γ-R) against nicotine-induced nephrotoxicity in male albino rats. Nicotine intoxication was induced with 0.5 mg/kg BW. Rats received 0.1 mg SeNPs/kg BW by gastric gavage concomitant with 0.5 Gy γ-R over 4 weeks. Characterization studies showed the formation of spherical SeNPs with a size ranged from 10 to 30 nm in diameter with a thin film encapsulating the nanoballs. Our data revealed that nicotine induced renal dysfunction manifested by significant abnormal levels of kidney function markers (creatinine, urea, sodium and potassium) accompanied by increased levels of malondialdehyde along with a reduction in glutathione level, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase activities. It is worthy to note that nicotine toxicity induced significant increments in serum inflammatory markers: tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular cell adhesion protein 1. Western blotting showed marked significant elevation in caspase-3 activities against nicotine. The mRNA gene expression of inducible cyclooxygenase-2 gene was highly increased with nicotine intoxication while that of cyclooxygenase-1 did not show any changes. Interestingly, our data demonstrated that SeNPs in synergistic interaction with γ-R are efficacious control against nicotine-induced nephrotoxicity via anti-oxidant-mediated anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, it is tempting to recommend dietary approaches with ginger SeNPs for smokers at workplaces exposed occupationally and regularly to low-level ionizing radiation.