The Effect of Selenium and Lycopene on Oxidative Stress in Bone Tissue in Rats Exposed to Cadmium

This study examined the effect of selenium (Se) or lycopene (Lyc) and their combination on oxida- tive stress in bone following cadmium (Cd) exposure in vivo. Cd exposure enhanced accumulation of Cd in femur with subsequent increase in LPO and PC and decreased antioxidative enzyme activ- ities in rat femur, along with significant decreases in body and femur bone weights. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of Se or Lyc reduced Cd accumulation in bone and increased body and femur weights, when given individually or concomitantly. Antioxidant enzyme activities maintained and/or in- creased following Se and Lyc supplementation when given individually or concomitantly. However, lycopene dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight alone or selenium alone provided better protection to bone tissues of rats against oxidative stress compared to treatment with their combination. Sele- nium and lycopene could be used as a dietary supplement to protect against bone oxidative stress in areas exposed to Cd pollution.