Using green biosynthesized lycopene-coated selenium nanoparticles to rescue renal damage in glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in rats

Purpose: Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have recently gained much attention in nanome-dicine applications owing to their unique biological properties. Biosynthesis of SeNPs using nutraceuticals as lycopene (LYC) maximizes their stability and bioactivities. In this context, this study aimed to elucidate the renoprotective activity of SeNPs coated with LYC (LYC-SeNPs) in the acute kidney injury (AKI) model. Methods: Rats were divided into six groups: control, AKI (glycerol-treated), AKI+sodium selenite (Na₂ SeO₃; 0.5 mg/kg), AKI+LYC (10 mg/kg), AKI+LYC-SeNPs (0.5 mg/kg) and treated for 14 days. Results: Glycerol treatment evoked significant increases in rhabdomyolysis-related mar-kers (creatine kinase and LDH). Furthermore, relative kidney weight, Kim-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), serum urea, and creatinine in the AKI group were elevated. Glycerol-injected rats displayed declines in reduced glutathione level, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activ-ities, paralleled with downregulations in Nfe2l2 and Hmox-1 expressions and high renal MDA and NO contents. Glycerol-induced renal inflammation was evident by rises in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and upregulated Nos2 expression. Also, apoptotic (elevated caspase-3, Bax, and cytochrome-c with lowered Bcl-2) and necroptotic (elevated Pipk3 expres-sion) changes were reported in damaged renal tissue. Co-treatment with Na₂ SeO₃, LYC, or LYC-SeNPs restored the biochemical, molecular, and histological alterations in AKI. In comparison with Na₂ SeO₃ or LYC treatment, LYC-SeNPs had the best nephroprotec-tive profile. Conclusion: Our findings authentically revealed that LYC-SeNPs co-administration could be a prospective candidate against AKI-mediated renal damage via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-necroptotic activities.