Convulsant action of diphenyl diselenide in rat pups: measurement and correlation with plasma, liver and brain levels of compound.

Diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)2], an organoselenium compound, presents toxicological effects in rat pups, manifested by the appearance of seizure episodes. The aim of this study was to carry out the determination and quantification of (PhSe)2 in plasma, liver and brain of rat pups after oral administration (p.o) of this compound (500 mg/kg). The second objective of this study was to correlate the latency to the appearance for the first seizure episode with (PhSe)2 plasma, liver and brain levels. Analysis of (PhSe)2 in plasma, liver and brain samples was performed by gas chromatography/flame ionized detector system (GC/FID). The average levels of (PhSe)2 in plasma, liver and brain of rat pups were 3.67, 5.07 and 1.15 microg/ml, respectively, at 20.58 min post dosing, the latency media for the first seizure episode. (PhSe)2 levels in plasma did not correlate with the latency for the first seizure episode induced by this compound. A significant negative correlation between the latency for the first seizure episode and the levels of (PhSe)2 liver and brain of rat pups was found. It demonstrates that rat pups which had highest levels of (PhSe)2 in liver and brain showed the shortest latency for the first seizure episode.