Selenium supplementation ameliorated paraquat-induced haemotoxicity in male rats

Introduction: The study was aimed at determining the haematological changes induced by 7 days paraquat exposure in rats and the ameliorative effect of selenium. Methods: Fifty-two adult male rats weighing between 150g and 200g were used for the study. The animals re randomly divided into five (5) groups of eight (8) rats each viz: Group I (DW) was administered distilled water only (2 ml/kg), group II (P1) was paraquat 15 mg/kg, group III (P1 + S) was paraquat (15 mg/kg) and selenium (0.3 mg/kg) an hour later, group IV (P2) was paraquat 30 mg/kg, while group V (P2 + S) was paraquat (30 mg/kg) and selenium (0.3 mg/kg) an hour later. Treatments were administered per os by gavage once daily for a week. Blood samples were analysed on the last day of administration. Results: The results of the study revealed that there were no significant differences (p >0.05) in haematological parameters in paraquat-induced toxicity in rats. Significance: The result of this research has shown that 7 days paraquat administration at 15 and 30 mg/kg has no detrimental effect on haematological parameters in rats, thus selenium supplementation cannot be justified to ameliorate its effect.