High- and low- selenium diets affect endocrine energy balance during early programming

Abstract

High- and low- Se diets received by dams during gestation and lactation are related to insulin resistance in their pups. High-Se diet leads to an increase in serum insulin levels, which does not function properly, and an anabolic process. Low-Se diet is related to very low insulin values and an extreme catabolic energy imbalance. Selenoproteins have been implicated directly in the general endocrine regulation of appetite and energy homeostasis. To obtain information concerning how Se intake by dams is involved in regulating endocrine energy balance in progeny, three experimental groups of dam rats were used: control (Se: 0.1 ppm), Se-supplemented (Se: 0.5 ppm) and Se-deficient (Se: 0.01 ppm). At the end of lactation (21d old), the pups' appetite profile, Se levels, peptides from gastrointestinal tract (including pancreas), leptin, thyroid hormones, skeletal growth markers and cytokines in serum were measured. Low-Se diet leads to severe growth retardation, underdeveloped glands, a non-functional pancreas, non-operative high serum leptin levels and low GIT-anorexigenic signals. High-Se diet leads to non-operative high insulin secretion, obesity, inflammation and low leptin levels. These results point to Se as an important marker and a possible dietary supplementation treatment for gestating and lactating mothers in order to avoid metabolic disorders such as gestational diabetes or intrauterine growth retardation which could affect their progeny's future health in adulthood.