Sodium Selenite Through Targeting NRF2/STAT3 Pathway Attenuates Testicular Damage in Irradiated Rats

This study proposed that sodium selenite (SSe) could counteract the inflammatory signaling allied with radiation-induced testicular damage. Mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a single-dose γ–radiation (5 Gy) and treated with sodium selenite (SSe) daily for nine days. According to the findings, SSe significantly preserved spermatogenesis activity, reducing the levels of the p-STAT3 protein, NF-кB and IL-1, as well as the relative expression of the Nrf2 protein, antioxidant activity, and serum testosterone in irradiated (IRR) rats. In light of this, we can state that, through targeting the Nrf2/STAT3 pathway, SSe may be able to reduce oxidative damage in the testes of radiation-toxicity rats because of its antioxidant characteristics. Thus, the antioxidant properties of SSe offer a novel method for discovering medicines that can be used in radioprotector clinical trials.