Int J Anat Res 2018, 6(4.1):5820-29. ISSN 2321-4287 5820 Original Research Article SELENIUM MODULATES HEPATORENAL DAMAGE AND GENOTOXICITY INDUCED BY POTASSIUM DICHROMATE IN ADULT ALBINO RATS Asmaa Mohammed Tolba * 1 , Samia Hussein 2 . ABSTRACT Address for Correspondence: Dr. Asmaa Mohammed Tolba, Anatomy and Embryology Depart- ment, Faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, 44519, Egypt. tel: 002 01142203098 E-Mail : amtolba@zu.edu.eg Background: Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) is a major environmental pollutant and is known for its wide toxic manifestations. The present study shows the protective role of selenium (Na2SeO3) against chromium induced hepatorenal toxicity. Materials and Methods: Sixty adult albino rats were divided into four groups of fifteen each. Group I is control group which received standard diet; group II received K2Cr2O7 (67mg/kg B.W) in drinking water; group III received selenium only (0.5 ìg/kg B.W) and group IV received both K2Cr2O7 (67mg/kg B.W) and selenium (0.5 ìg/ kg B.W) for 6 weeks. Results: Selenium supplementation to the group IV improved all the kidney and liver chemical function parameters. In addition, it down-regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress genes. Conclusion: The biochemical results confirmed the improvement of histopathological findings. Therefore, our study revealed that selenium was effective in preventing K2Cr2O7-induced hepatorenal toxicity. KEY WORDS: Selenium, hepatorenal, Potassium dichromate, PCR, Rats. INTRODUCTION International Journal of Anatomy and Research, Int J Anat Res 2018, Vol 6(4.1):5820-29. ISSN 2321-4287 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2018.350 Access this Article online Quick Response code International Journal of Anatomy and Research ISSN (E) 2321-4287 | ISSN (P) 2321-8967 https://www.ijmhr.org/ijar.htm DOI-Prefix: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2018.350 *1 Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt . 2 Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig Univer- sity, Egypt. Received: 07 Aug 2018 Peer Review: 07 Aug 2018 Revised: None Accepted: 06 Sep 2018 Published (O): 10 Oct 2018 Published (P): 10 Oct 2018 Journal Information ICV for 2016 90.30 Article Information Chromium (Cr), a naturally occurring heavy metal which exists in dust and earth crust. It also present in high ratios in water, air soil, plants and rocks [1]. Chromium exists in many forms, the most stable forms of chromium in the envi- ronment are hexavalent chromium [2]. Water contaminated with hexavalent chromium is a worldwide problem as it is a major route of exposure to chromium. The wide distribution of chromium in the environment is the result of its extensive use to produce stainless steel, wood treatment products, tanning of leather or pigments[3]. Occupational exposure to chromium is found among approximately several million industrial workers worldwide[4]. Experimental animals exposed to K2Cr2O7 exhibit acute tissue damage, including testicu- lar lesions, kidney tubular necrosis and liver tox- icity [5]. The liver is at great risk of injury and induced hepatotoxicity as demonstrated by [6].Also, K2Cr2O7 promotes expression of specific mark- ers of nephrotoxicity [7].