Abstract

Objective: The effects of selenium on behavioral consequences of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in rats was assessed. Materials and methods: The animals were randomized into the following four groups (n = 8 in each): (1) control group, (2) LPS group (that received 1 mg/kg of LPS two hours before conducting the behavioral tests), and (3 and 4) LPS- Sel 100 and LPS- Sel 200 groups (that were treated with selenium 100 or 200 μg/kg before LPS). Daily administration of selenium started three days before beginning the behavioral tests. Open- field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST) were done. The brains and blood were then collected to examine oxidative stress parameters and determine white blood cell (WBC) count. Results: LPS increased immobility and decreased active and climbing time in FST. In EPM, LPS decreased the time spent in the open arms but increased the time spent in the closed arms. In OFT, LPS decreased the time spent in the central zone compared to the control group. High-dose selenium improved performances of the rats in behavioral tests. Also, LPS injection increased malondialdehyde (MDA) while decreased thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Selenium protected brain tissues from oxidative damage. The number of total WBCs was significantly increased in the LPS group compared to the control group. Both doses of selenium induced a significant reduction in total WBC count. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that selenium improved behavioral consequences of LPS that were mediated by neuro-inflammatory mediators. These effects were accompanied by improved oxidative status in the brain tissues and reduced WBCs count. © 2021