The Protective Effect of Selenium Nanoparticles on L-Arginine Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Adult Male Albino Rats (A Light and Transmission Electron Microscopic Study)

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Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

2 Department of Endemic and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory pancreatic disorder with multiple causes, including L-arginine. L-arginine induces acute pancreatitis via oxidative stress. Nano-selenium possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Limited studies explored the role of nano-selenium in protecting the pancreas from L-arginine induced damage, hence, this study was established.
Aim of the Study: To investigate the protective effect of selenium nanoparticles on L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis in adult male albino rats using light and transmission electron microscopic techniques.
Material and Methods: 40 adult male albino rats were randomly and equally assigned to four groups: group I (control), group II (nano-selenium 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally daily for 7 days), group III (L-arginine 2.5 g/kg intraperitoneally twice on the 7th day), and group IV (nano-selenium for 7 days followed by L-arginine on the 7th day). Pancreatic specimens were collected then processed for Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E), Masson’s trichrome, inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) immunostaining, and transmission electron microscopic techniques. The obtained data were statistically analyzed and represented by tables and graphs.
Results: Histopathological changes of acute pancreatitis were visible on both light and transmission electron microscopic studies in pancreatic sections of group III. H and E-stained sections showed distorted pancreatic architecture, thickened septa, dilated ducts, congested blood vessels, edema, mononuclear cell infiltration, microscopic hemorrhagic foci and necrosis. There was significantly increased deposition of collagen fibers in Masson’s trichrome-stained sections, and increased iNOS immunoreactivity, compared to group I. The pancreas of group IV revealed significant histological improvement in all assessed histopathological parameters in H and E-stained sections, decreased collagen deposition, and decreased iNOS immunoreactivity, compared to group III. However, some parameters did not fully return to group I levels.
Conclusion: Selenium nanoparticles provided partial protection against L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis in adult male albino rats, as evidenced by improvements in pancreatic histoarchitecture and ultrastructure.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Histology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 August 2025

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