Studies on selenium-related compounds VI. Biosynthesis of dimethyl selenide in rat liver after oral administration of sodium selenate

Abstract

Experiments were made to obtain data on the biological action of selenium in order to establish a standard for water quality for public water supply. Biosynthesis of dimethyl selenide in rat liver after oral administration of Na 2SeO 4 was investigated and the volatile selenium formed was identified. The study showed that dimethyl selenide, as a respiratory metabolite, was probably formed in the rat liver. Differences were noted as to dimethyl selenide formation from sodium selenite and sodium selenate in vitro. The test of single oral administration of sodium selenate indicated that dimethyl selenide formation increased progressively up to about 6 mg/kg and then reached a plateau at this dose. The increased accumulation of selenium in the liver after continuous oral administration was found to stimulate the methylation of selenium to dimethyl selenide. When sodium selenate was orally administered to rats, (CH 3) 2Se was found by TLC, GLC, and GC-mass spectrometry.