en فارماکولوژی Pharmacology پژوهشي Original Research Our study pertains to evaluate the protective effect of selenium (Se), used as a nutritional supplement, against aluminium chloride induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Rats have received during 21 days either AlCl₃ (400 ppm) via drinking water, AlCl₃ associated with Na₂SeO₃(0.5 mg/kg of diet) or only Na₂SeO₃. Co-administration of Se to AlCl₃treated rats alleviated heart oxidative stress objectified by a decrease of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and protein carbonyls levels. An improvement in antioxidant redox status, enzymatic (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and non enzymatic (reduced glutathione, non protein thiols and vitamin C) was also observed in Se treated rats.  LDH and CK activities, TC, LDL-C levels, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were increased, while HDL-C and TG decreased in rats treated with AlCl₃. Cardiac biomarkers and lipid profile were restored to near control values by the supplementation of Se. Our results revealed that Se, a trace element with antioxidant properties, was effective in preventing heart damage induced by aluminium chloride. Aluminium, rats, oxidative stress, selenium, heart 19 25 http://pbr.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-145-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Imen Ghorbel ghorbel21@gmail.com 10031947532846003795 10031947532846003795 Yes Animal Physiology Laboratory, Sciences Faculty of Sfax. University of Sfax, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia Awatef Elwej awatefelwej@yahho.fr 10031947532846003796 10031947532846003796 No Animal Physiology Laboratory, Sciences Faculty of Sfax. University of Sfax, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia Animal Physiology Laboratory. Sciences Faculty of Sfax. University of Sfax, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia Mariem Chaabane chmariem@live.fr 10031947532846003797 10031947532846003797 No Animal Physiology Laboratory, Sciences Faculty of Sfax. University of Sfax, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia Animal Physiology Laboratory. Sciences Faculty of Sfax. University of Sfax, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia Kamel Jamoussi jamoussikamel@yahoo.fr 10031947532846003798 10031947532846003798 No Biochemistry Laboratory, CHU Hedi Chaker, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia Biochemistry Laboratory, CHU Hedi Chaker, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia Najiba Zeghal naj_zgh@yahoo.fr 10031947532846003799 10031947532846003799 No Animal Physiology Laboratory, Sciences Faculty of Sfax. University of Sfax, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia Animal Physiology Laboratory. Sciences Faculty of Sfax. University of Sfax, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia