Selenium nanoparticle ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats through inhibition of ferroptosis, inflammation, and HSPs

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common, life-threatening clinical condition characterized by respiratory failure. Ferroptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress majorly affect ALI progression. Selenium nanoparticles (SENP) are strong antioxidant trace elements. The current study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic impact of SENP in an experimental model of ALI in rats with an emphasis on oxidative stress, Ferroptosis, inflammation, and heat shock protein-47 (HSPs47). SENP were synthesized using sodium selenite reduction with ascorbic acid and chitosan as a stabilizer. Characterization revealed a particle size of 79.72 ± 3 nm, polydispersity index of 0.1162, and zeta potential of 64.23 ± 4.88 mV. Transmission electron microscope displayed homogenous spherical nanoparticles with smooth surfaces, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed chitosan interaction and X-ray study revealed amorphous characteristic. The study utilized a rat model, dividing them into four groups: NC (received normal saline), LPS (received lipopolysaccharides to induce ALI), SE (received selenium), and SENP (received SENP). Results demonstrated that both SE and SENP treatments effectively alleviated histopathological changes induced by LPS in lung tissue, with SENP exhibiting higher efficacy. Compared to the LPS group, both SE and SENP groups showed significant reductions in malondialdehyde, Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 3, Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and Toll-like receptor 4 levels. Additionally, SE and SENP treatments significantly increased levels of HSPs47, glutathione, and heme oxygenase-1 compared to the LPS group. The study concluded that SENP could serve as an effective adjuvant therapy for ALI due to its positive impact on oxidative stress, inflammation, and HSPs47.