Effect Of Se Treatment Research Articles

Effects of Selenium Content on Growth, Antioxidant Activity, and Key Selenium-Enriched Gene Expression in Alfalfa Sprouts.

To enhance the selenium (Se) intake of the general public, the present study implemented biofortification techniques in alfalfa sprouts. Alfalfa sprouts possess unique nutritional value and provide an optimal Se-enriched supplemental Se source. The impact of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on alfalfa shoot germination, shoot length, and biomass was assessed experimentally, and changes in the antioxidant capacity of sprouts treated with optimal Se concentrations were investigated. In addition, the transcriptome of alfalfa sprouts treated with the optimal Na2SeO3 concentration was sequenced. Gene co-expression networks, constructed through differential gene analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, were used to identify the core genes responsible for Se enrichment in alfalfa sprouts. The findings of the present study offer novel insights into the effects of Se treatment on the nutrient composition of alfalfa sprouts, in addition to introducing novel methods and references that could facilitate production of Se-enriched alfalfa sprouts and associated products.

The selenium-promoted daidzein production contributes to its induced nodulation in soybean plants

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient to humans. Se biofortification in crops provides an effective means to enhance dietary Se intake. However, the effects of Se treatment on plant growth and development remain to be fully studied. In this study, we applied Se to soybean plants grown hydroponically and in soil. We observed that selenate treatment increased nodule number and fresh weight. Furthermore, Se supplementation increased isoflavone daidzein accumulation in roots and nodules. An exogenous supply of daidzein but not kaempferol was found to increase nodule number and fresh weight significantly, suggesting a role of daidzein in the Se-induced nodulation in soybean plants. In addition, the total sugar levels in nodules, roots, and leaves were significantly enhanced following selenate treatment. Subsequently, the N-compounds were greatly increased after Se treatment in all tissues examined. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Se treatment altered various metabolic and cellular processes to affect nodulation and nodule development. Se treatment upregulated GmNIN2b, an important nodule organogenesis gene, as well as genes associated with sugar metabolism and ureide transport. Our study provides insights underlying the Se-induced nodulation in soybean plants and further documents that Se biofortification in soybean can simultaneously improve not only the essential nutrient content but also nodulation for biological nitrogen fixation, a critically important agronomic trait in soybean plants.

Response of common buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat from different elevations to selenium treatment

Common buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat were grown in Slovenia outdoors at different elevations – 300 m, 600 m and 1180 m a.s.l. Both species were foliarly treated with selenium twice (in the vegetative phase and in the flowering phase). The effects of Se treatment and different growing locations on selected biochemical, physiological and anatomical traits were monitored. In Se treated common buckwheat, amount of chlorophylls was higher in plants from Ljubljana (the lowest elevation – 300 m a.s.l.) than in plants grown in Podbeže (600 m a.s.l.), whereas in control group, plants grown in Ljubljana contained more chlorophylls than plants from Javorje (the highest elevation – 1180 m a.s.l.). In both buckwheat species, Se alone did not affect amount of chlorophylls in any of location. In Se treated common buckwheat plants, the amount of UV absorbing compounds was the highest in plants, grown at the highest elevation. In common buckwheat, Se lowered the number of CaOx in plants, grown in Javorje. Conditions at different elevations, as well as treatments with Se, did not affect potential and effective photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II.
 Keywords: common buckwheat, Tartary buckwheat, elevation, selenium, morphological characteristics, biochemical characteristics

Selenium decreases methylmercury and increases nutritional elements in rice growing in mercury-contaminated farmland

Methylmercury (MeHg) in rice grains grown in Hg-contaminated areas has raised environmental health concerns. Pot experiments found that selenium (Se) could reduce MeHg levels in rice grains. However, relatively high levels of Se (up to 6 mg/kg) were applied in these pot experiments, which may have adverse effects on the soil ecology due to the toxicity of Se. The aims of this work were thus to study 1) the effect of low levels of Se on the accumulation and distribution of Hg, especially MeHg, in rice plants grown in a real Hg-contaminated paddy field and 2) the effect of Se treatment on Se and other nutritional elements (e.g., Cu, Fe, Zn) in grains. A field study amended with different levels of Se was carried out in Hg-contaminated paddy soil in Qingzhen, Guizhou, China. The levels of MeHg and total Hg were studied using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVAFS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The distribution and relative quantification of elements in grains were examined by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence analysis (SR-XRF). This field study showed that low levels of Se (0.5 μg/mL, corresponding to 0.15 mg Se/kg soils) could significantly reduce total Hg and MeHg in rice tissues. Se treatment also reduced Hg distribution in the embryo and endosperm and increased the levels of Fe, Cu, Zn and Se in grains and especially embryos. This field study implied that treatment with an appropriate level of Se is an effective approach to not only decrease the level of MeHg but to also increase the levels of nutritional elements such as Fe, Cu, Zn and Se in rice grains, which could bring beneficial effects for rice-dependent residents living in Hg-contaminated areas.

Forms of selenium in vitamin-mineral mixes differentially affect serum alkaline phosphatase activity, and serum albumin and blood urea nitrogen concentrations, of steers grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue.

The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that sodium selenite (ISe), SEL-PLEX (OSe), vs. a 1:1 blend (MIX) of ISe and OSe in a basal vitamin-mineral mix would differentially affect serological and hepatic parameters of growing steers grazing toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue-mixed forage pasture. Predominately Angus steers (BW = 183 ± 34 kg) were randomly selected from herds of fall-calving cows grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue-mixed pasture and consuming vitamin-mineral mixes that contained 35 ppm Se as ISe, OSe, and MIX forms. Steers were weaned, depleted of Se for 98 d, and subjected to summer-long common grazing of an endophyte-infected tall fescue-mixed pasture (0.51 ppm total ergovaline + ergovalinine; 10.1 ha). Steers were assigned (n = 8 per treatment) to the same Se form treatments upon which they were raised. Se treatments were administered by daily top-dressing 85 g of vitamin-mineral mix onto 0.23 kg soyhulls, using in-pasture Calan gates. The PROC MIXED procedure of SAS was used to assess the effect of Se form treatments on serum parameters at day 0, 22, 43, 64, and 86. After slaughter, the effect of Se treatment on hepatic alkaline phosphatase (tissue nonspecific isoform, TNALP) mRNA, protein, and albumin protein content was assessed using the PROC GLM procedure of SAS. Fisher's protected LSD procedure was used to separate treatment means. Partial correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship among whole blood Se concentration and serum parameters, accounting for the effect of time. Across periods, MIX steers had more (P ≤ 0.04) serum albumin than OSe and ISe steers, respectively. However, the relative hepatic bovine serum albumin protein content was not affected (P = 0.28) by Se treatments. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was greater (P ≤ 0.01) in MIX and OSe steers. Similarly, hepatic TNALP protein content in MIX steers was greater (P = 0.01) than ISe steers. Partial correlation analysis revealed that serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen, and alkaline phosphatase activity were correlated (r ≥ 0.23, P ≤ 0.02) with whole blood Se concentration. In summary, consumption of 3 mg Se/d as OSe or MIX forms of Se in vitamin-mineral mixes increased serum albumin concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity, the reduction of which is associated with fescue toxicosis. We conclude that the organic forms of Se ameliorated the depression of 2 of known serological biomarkers of fescue toxicosis.

Forms of selenium in vitamin-mineral mixes differentially affect the expression of genes responsible for prolactin, ACTH, and α-MSH synthesis and mitochondrial dysfunction in pituitaries of steers grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue.

The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that sodium selenite (inorganic Se, ISe), SEL-PLEX (organic forms of Se, OSe), vs. a 1:1 blend (MIX) of ISe and OSe in a basal vitamin-mineral (VM) mix would differentially alter pituitary transcriptome profiles in growing beef steers grazing an endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) pasture. Predominately Angus steers (BW = 183 ± 34 kg) were randomly selected from fall-calving cows grazing E+ pasture and consuming VM mixes that contained 35 ppm Se as ISe, OSe, or MIX forms. Steers were weaned, depleted of Se for 98 d, and subjected to summer-long common grazing of a 10.1 ha E+ pasture containing 0.51 ppm ergot alkaloids. Steers were assigned (n = 8 per treatment) to the same Se-form treatments on which they were raised. Selenium treatments were administered by daily top-dressing 85 g of VM mix onto 0.23 kg soyhulls, using in-pasture Calan gates. As previously reported, serum prolactin was greater for MIX (52%) and OSe (59%) steers vs. ISe. Pituitaries were collected at slaughter and changes in global and selected mRNA expression patterns determined by microarray and real-time reverse transcription PCR analyses, respectively. The effects of Se treatment on relative gene expression were subjected to one-way ANOVA. The form of Se affected the expression of 542 annotated genes (P < 0.005). Integrated pathway analysis found a canonical pathway network between prolactin and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)/ACTH/α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) synthesis-related proteins and that mitochondrial dysfunction was a top-affected canonical pathway. Targeted reverse transcription-PCR analysis found that the relative abundance of mRNA encoding prolactin and POMC/ACTH/α-MSH synthesis-related proteins was affected (P < 0.05) by the form of Se, as were (P ≤ 0.05) mitochondrial dysfunction-related proteins (CYB5A, FURIN, GPX4, and PSENEN). OSe steers appeared to have a greater prolactin synthesis capacity (more PRL mRNA) vs. ISe steers through decreased dopamine type two receptor signaling (more DRD2 mRNA), whereas MIX steers had a greater prolactin synthesis capacity (more PRL mRNA) and release potential by increasing thyrotropin-releasing hormone concentrations (less TRH receptor mRNA) than ISe steers. OSe steers also had a greater ACTH and α-MSH synthesis potential (more POMC, PCSK2, CPE, and PAM mRNA) than ISe steers. We conclude that form of Se in VM mixes altered expression of genes responsible for prolactin and POMC/ACTH/α-MSH synthesis, and mitochondrial function, in pituitaries of growing beef steers subjected to summer-long grazing an E+ pasture.

Forms of selenium in vitamin-mineral mixes differentially affect serum prolactin concentration and hepatic glutamine synthetase activity of steers grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue.

The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that sodium selenite (ISe), SEL-PLEX (OSe), vs. an 1:1 blend (MIX) of ISe and OSe in a basal vitamin-mineral (VM) mix would differentially affect metabolic parameters and performance of growing steers grazing toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue mixed forage (E+) pasture. Predominately-Angus steers (BW = 183 ± 34 kg) were randomly selected from herds of fall-calving cows grazing E+ pasture and consuming VM mixes that contained 35 ppm Se as ISe, OSe, and MIX forms. Steers were weaned, depleted of Se for 98 d, and subjected to summer-long common grazing of an E+ pasture (0.51 ppm total ergovaline per ergovalinine; 10.1 ha). Steers were assigned (n = 8 per treatment) to the same Se-form treatments upon which they were raised. Selenium treatments were administered by daily top-dressing 85 g of VM mix onto 0.23 kg soyhulls, using in-pasture Calan gates. The PROC MIXED procedure of SAS was used to assess effect of Se-form treatments on whole blood Se (ng/mL) and serum prolactin (ng/mL) at day 0, 22, 43, 64, and 86, and caudal arterial area (mm2) at day -7, 43, and 86. The effect of Se treatment on ADG (day 86), and liver glutamine synthetase (GS) mRNA, protein, and activity (nmol/mg wet tissue/min) were assessed using the PROC GLM procedure of SAS. Fisher's protected LSD procedure was used to separate treatment means. Whole blood Se increased (P < 0.01) for all treatments from day 0 to 22 and then did not change (P ≥ 0.17), and was greater (P ≤ 0.04) for MIX and OSe steers. Serum prolactin decreased (P < 0.01) over time and was greater (P < 0.05) for MIX and OSe steers. Liver GS mRNA content was 66% and 59% greater (P < 0.05) in MIX and OSe steers, respectively, than ISe steers. Liver GS protein content in MIX steers was 94% more (P < 0.01) than ISe steers. Moreover, MIX and OSe steers had 99% and 55% more (P ≤ 0.01) liver GS activity, respectively, than ISe steers. ADG was not affected (P = 0.36) by Se treatments. We conclude that consumption of 3 mg Se/d as OSe or MIX forms of Se in VM mixes increased 1) whole blood Se content, an indicator of greater whole-body Se assimilation; 2) serum prolactin, the reduction of which is a hallmark of fescue toxicosis; and 3) hepatic GS activity, indicating greater hepatic assimilation of acinar ammonia. However, 4) these positive effects on metabolic parameters were not accompanied by increased growth performance.

Effect of Se treatment on the volatile compounds in broccoli

Broccoli contains high levels of bioactive compounds but deteriorates and senesces easily. In the present study, freshly harvested broccoli was treated with selenite and stored at two different temperatures. The effect of selenite treatment on sensory quality and postharvest physiology were analyzed. Volatile components were assessed by HS-SPME combined with GC–MS and EN. The metabolism of Se and S was also examined. Results indicated that Se treatment had a significant effect on maintaining the sensory quality, suppressing the respiration intensity and ethylene production, as well as increasing the content of Se and decreasing the content of S. In particular, significant differences in the composition of volatile compounds were present between control and Se-treated. The differences were mainly due to differences in alcohols and sulfide compounds. These results demonstrate that Se treatment can have a positive effect on maintaining quality and enhancing its sensory quality through the release of volatile compounds.

Effect of Se treatment on glucosinolate metabolism and health-promoting compounds in the broccoli sprouts of three cultivars

Broccoli sprouts are natural functional foods for cancer prevention because of their high glucosinolate (GSL) content and high selenium (Se) accumulation capacity. The regulation mechanism of Se on GSL metabolism in broccoli sprouts was explored. In particular, the effects of Se treatment (100μmol/L selenite and selenate) on the Se, sulfur (S), glucosinolate and sulforaphane contents; myrosinase activity and health-promoting compounds (ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, total phenolics and flavonoids) of three, 5day old, cultivars were investigated. The treatment did not influence the total GSL and ascorbic acid contents; significantly increased the myrosinase activity and sulforaphane, anthocyanin and flavonoids contents; and decreased the total phenolics content. The increase in sulforaphane during early growth can be primarily attributed to the increased myrosinase activity caused by Se treatment. Broccoli sprouts with suitable selenite and selenate concentrations, in the early growth days, could be desirable for improved human health.

Physical, hematologic, biochemical, and immunologic effects of supranutritional supplementation with dietary selenium in Holstein cows

Abstract Objective To measure responses of cows to supplemental Se intake in excess of nutritional requirements, but lower than recognized toxic dosages. Animals 24 healthy adult Holstein cows. Procedure Cows were allotted to 4 groups and fed sodium selenite to provide 0, 3, 20, or 50 mg of Se/cow/d for 90 days. Subsequently, the dosage for the group receiving 50 mg/cow/d was increased to 100 mg/cow/d for 28 d. Blood, liver specimens, feces, and urine were obtained at points during the trial. Results Serum and blood Se concentrations in groups receiving 20 or 50 mg/cow/d increased over time, compared with controls (P &lt; 0.01). Increasing supplemental Se intake to 100 mg/cow/d further increased serum and blood Se concentrations (P &lt; 0.05). Urine, fecal, and liver Se concentrations increased more markedly in response to treatment than did those of serum or blood. No effect of Se treatment was seen on blood cell counts or serum activities of hepatocellular enzymes. Likewise, neither titer response to rabies vaccination nor lymphocyte blastogenic response to nonspecific mitogens was affected by Se treatment. Objective or subjective physical signs of Se toxicosis were not observed at any Se dosage. Conclusions Inorganic Se intakes of up to 50 mg/d for 90 days or 100 mg/d for 28 days by adult Holstein cows do not affect the variables measured. Clinical Relevance Intakes of Se as sodium selenite in amounts 10 to 30 times the nutritional requirements are unlikely to cause health problems in adult cows. Urine and feces are good test samples for detection of Se supplementation greater than requirements. (Am J Vet Res 1997;58:760–764)

Heinz body anaemia in lambs with deficiencies of copper or selenium.

1. The progression of Heinz body anaemia was studied in groups of lambs of low- and high-copper status, produced through breeding or Cu supplementation, when they were transferred from improved pasture to rape (Brassica napus L.) in autumn. Some lambs had previously received selenium by injection. The Cu and Se supplements markedly increased superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1; SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9; GSHPx) activities respectively in the erythrocytes, and both supplements had elicited growth responses at pasture. 2. At the time of transfer to rape, lambs not treated with Cu had lower whole-blood haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and a higher percentage of erythrocytes containing Heinz bodies (6.6 v. 3.7%, P less than 0.01) than Cu-treated lambs: the corresponding effects of Se treatment were similar in direction but lower in magnitude (P less than 0.05). 3. After grazing rape for 2 weeks the mean Hb concentration had fallen by 30 g/l while Heinz body count had increased from 5 to 25%. However, counts were negatively correlated with the initial values and were unaffected by the Cu and Se treatments which maintained high plasma Cu concentrations and SOD and GSHPx activities. 4. The results provide the first evidence that Cu deficiency can induce Heinz body formation and the anaemia in grazing Cu-deficient lambs may be partly haemolytic in origin. The concomitant Se deficiency added marginally to the problem but neither the separate nor combined deficiencies increased the susceptibility of lambs to brassica anaemia.

Effect of selenium on the induction of breast fibroadenomas by adenovirus type 9 and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced bowel carcinogenesis in rats.

Selenium in its organic and inorganic forms has been shown to inhibit the development of chemically induced, spontaneous and transplanted tumors. The present investigation was performed to study the effect of selenium (4 micrograms per ml of drinking water) on tumorigenesis of adenovirus-type-9-induced breast fibroadenomas and on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced bowel carcinogenesis in WF rats. It was found that identical treatment with Se under identical conditions and with no obvious toxic effects on the rats (1) resulted in inhibition of DMH-induced large-bowel carcinogenesis; (2) facilitated induction of small-bowel cancer by the same carcinogen in the same animals, and (3) greatly facilitated induction of breast fibroadenoma by adenovirus type 9 in the same strain of rats. The effect of Se treatment on DMH-induced large-bowel carcinogenesis confirms previous findings and proves that the opposite effect on fibroadenoma development is not due to differences in e.g. effective dose, animal strains or condition of the animals. It is not yet clear through which mechanisms Se exerts these effects.