Sodium Selenite Group Research Articles

Effect of Sodium Selenite Administration and Procalcitonin-Guided Therapy on Mortality in Patients With Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

High-dose intravenous administration of sodium selenite has been proposed to improve outcome in sepsis by attenuating oxidative stress. Procalcitonin-guided antimicrobial therapy may hasten the diagnosis of sepsis, but effect on outcome is unclear. To determine whether high-dose intravenous sodium selenite treatment and procalcitonin-guided anti-infectious therapy in patients with severe sepsis affect mortality. The Placebo-Controlled Trial of Sodium Selenite and Procalcitonin Guided Antimicrobial Therapy in Severe Sepsis (SISPCT), a multicenter, randomized, clinical, 2 × 2 factorial trial performed in 33 intensive care units in Germany, was conducted from November 6, 2009, to June 6, 2013, including a 90-day follow-up period. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an initial intravenous loading dose of sodium selenite, 1000 µg, followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of sodium selenite, 1000 µg, daily until discharge from the intensive care unit, but not longer than 21 days, or placebo. Patients also were randomized to receive anti-infectious therapy guided by a procalcitonin algorithm or without procalcitonin guidance. The primary end point was 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included 90-day all-cause mortality, intervention-free days, antimicrobial costs, antimicrobial-free days, and secondary infections. Of 8174 eligible patients, 1089 patients (13.3%) with severe sepsis or septic shock were included in an intention-to-treat analysis comparing sodium selenite (543 patients [49.9%]) with placebo (546 [50.1%]) and procalcitonin guidance (552 [50.7%]) vs no procalcitonin guidance (537 [49.3%]). The 28-day mortality rate was 28.3% (95% CI, 24.5%-32.3%) in the sodium selenite group and 25.5% (95% CI, 21.8%-29.4%) (P = .30) in the placebo group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between patients assigned to procalcitonin guidance (25.6% [95% CI, 22.0%-29.5%]) vs no procalcitonin guidance (28.2% [95% CI, 24.4%-32.2%]) (P = .34). Procalcitonin guidance did not affect frequency of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures but did result in a 4.5% reduction of antimicrobial exposure. Neither high-dose intravenous administration of sodium selenite nor anti-infectious therapy guided by a procalcitonin algorithm was associated with an improved outcome in patients with severe sepsis. These findings do not support administration of high-dose sodium selenite in these patients; the application of a procalcitonin-guided algorithm needs further evaluation. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00832039.

Protective effects of sodium selenite on lead nitrate-induced hepatotoxicity in diabetic and non-diabetic rats.

In the present study, the effect of sodium selenite on lead induced toxicity was studied in Wistar rats. Sodium selenite and lead nitrate were administered orally for 28 days to streptozotocin induced diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Eight groups of rats were used in the study: control, sodium selenite, lead nitrate, lead nitrate+sodium selenite, streptozotocin-induced diabetic-control, diabetic-sodium selenite, diabetic-lead nitrate, diabetic-lead nitrate+sodium selenite groups. Serum biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes in liver tissues were investigated in all groups. There were statistically significant changes in liver function tests, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels in lead nitrate and sodium selenite+lead nitrate treated groups, also in diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Furthermore, histopathological alterations were demonstrated in same groups. In the present study we found that sodium selenite treatment did not show completely protective effect on diabetes mellitus caused damages, but diabetic rats are more susceptible to lead toxicity than non-diabetic rats.

Effects of selenium-chitosan on blood selenium concentration, antioxidation status, and cellular and humoral immunity in mice.

One hundred and eighty Kunming mice were allotted to three groups in a randomized complete block design, including two treatments and one control. Mice in group 1 were fed a basal diet as control, while mice in groups 2 and 3 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.2mg/kg selenium as sodium selenite (SS) or selenium-chitosan (SC), respectively. On day 28 of the experiment, blood selenium concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation were determined, and plasma interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) concentrations, splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses, serum hemolysis level (HC50), and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were determined on day 15 of the experiment. The results showed that blood selenium concentration, GPx activity, splenic PFC response, and plasma IL-2 and IFN-γ concentrations in SC group were higher than those in the control and SS groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), respectively. Plasma SOD activity, Serum hemolysis level, DTH responses, and Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation in SC group were higher than those in control (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Plasma SOD activity, serum hemolysis level, DTH responses, and Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation in SC group were also higher than those in SS group, while there was no significant difference between SC and SS groups (P > 0.05). Plasma MDA content in SC group was lower than those in the control and SS groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). It is concluded that SC supplement can increase blood selenium concentration, antioxidation status, and cellular and humoral immunity, and SC has better biological activity than SS in mice.

Effects of Nano-Selenium on Kindey Selenium Contents, Glutathione Peroxidase Activities and GPx-1 mRNA Expression in Mice

The experiment was conducted to evaluate kindey selenium status, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and GPx-1 expression in mice fed with nanoselenium. Sixty KM mice, female and male in half, were randomly divided into control, sodium selenite and nanoselenium groups. 0.5 milliliter of water, sodium selenite (2 μg Se/mL) and nanoselenium (2 μg Se/mL) were respectively supplemented to the three groups in oral (ig) every day. Whole experiment lasted for 28 days. Kindey selenium contents, GPx activities and GPx-1 mRNA expression were analyzed at experiment trrmination. The results showed that kindey selenium contents and GPx activities in nanoselenium group and sodium selenite group were very significantly higher than those in control group (P&lt;0.01); kindey GPx activities in nanoselenium group were significantly higher than that in sodium selenite group (P&lt;0.05). Kindey mRNA expression of GPx-1 was approx 166% higher in nanoselenium group and approx 157% higher in sodium selenite group than that in control group. Kindey mRNA expression of GPx-1 was approx 3.50 % higher in nanoselenium group than that in sodium selenite group. The results indicated that nanoselenium supplementation could significantly enhance kindey selenium contents, GPx activities and GPx-1 mRNA expression in mice, nanoselenium was more available than sodium selenite in increasing kindey selenium contents, GPx activities and GPx-1 mRNA expression in mice.

Nephroprotective potential of selenium and taurine against mercuric chloride induced nephropathy in rats

The study was aimed to estimate whether pre-treatment with sodium selenite or taurine would reverse kidney damage induced by intraperitoneal injection of mercuric chloride in rats. Animals were divided into six groups: (1) control group; (2) sodium selenite group; (3) taurine group; (4) HgCl2 group; (5) sodium selenite pretreated group; (6) taurine pretreated group. The results demonstrated that HgCl2 causes significant enhancement in serum malondialdehyde (MDA), creatinine, N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), cystatin C, nephrin and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels accompanied with significant reduction in serum nitric oxide (NO) level. Pretreatment with sodium selenite or taurine produces significant depletion in MDA, NAG, cystatin C, nephrin and IL-6 levels in concomitant with significant elevation in serum NO level as compared to HgCl2 group. HgCl2 induced pathological alterations in the kidney. The ultrastructural investigation of renal cortex of HgCl2-administered group revealed that the glomerular basement membrane is uniform, the fenestrations of endothelial cells are swollen, and the secondary foot processes appear also swollen even fused at some points. The proximal convoluted tubules showed apical short and few microvilli, while, some tubular cells showed relatively normal microvilli. In contrast, sodium selenite or taurine pretreatment could significantly reduce the pathological alterations in the kidney caused by HgCl2 intoxication. The current results suggested that selenium and taurine possess nephroprotective efficacy due to their antioxidative capacity and anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of different selenium sources on production performance and biochemical parameters of broilers

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animal and human. Supplementation of Se usually in livestock diet has been proved as effective element. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different sources of selenium on growth performance, slaughter performance, immune trait, oxidation resistance, meat quality and selenium content in tissue of broilers to comprehensively evaluate the effect of selenium. A total of 324 1-day-old AA broilers were selected and randomly allocated to three treatments of six replicates with 18 broilers each. The trial period was 42days and was divided into two periods. Our results showed that effect of different sources of selenium on growth performance, slaughter performance, the immune status, drip loss and flesh had not significant difference (p>0.05); while the activities of serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), the abilities to inhibit hydroxyl radical (OH˙) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were significantly higher in selenium yeast than sodium selenite groups, and the contents of MDA of selenium yeast groups were significantly lower than that of sodium selenite. This study demonstrated that the different sources of selenium had no obvious effect on production performance of broilers, but significantly influenced the broiler oxidation resistance.

Selenium retention in lambs fed diets supplemented with selenium from inorganic or organic sources

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of feed supplementation with equivalent selenium doses from sodium selenite (SS) and selenised yeast (Se-yeast) on Se absorption, retention, balance, and tissue deposition in young rams. Fifteen male lambs of the Slovak valashka breed (4 months old) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments consisting of unsupplemented basal diet (BD) containing only background Se (0.07mg/kg dry matter; DM) and two treatments based on identical BD supplemented with 0.3mgSe/kg DM either from SS or from Se-yeast. After 14 weeks, no differences in blood Se levels were observed between rams fed the diet supplemented with SS or Se-yeast (0.30 vs. 0.31mg/L, respectively), while lambs given BD showed significantly lower Se level (0.07mg/L, P<0.001). A similar response was found in the activity of blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx), with mean values for BD, SS and Se-yeast groups of 132.8, 931.7 and 954.4U/g Hb, respectively (P<0.001). The balance measurements carried out in week 12 showed significantly higher relative Se retention (% of Se ingested) in the rams given Se-yeast (58.3%) than in those fed the diet supplemented with SS (45.4%, P<0.05), both differing from the control group (51.6%). The apparent Se absorption rate was significantly higher in the Se-yeast group (62.0%) than in the lambs treated with SS (49.6%) or in those fed the unsupplemented BD (52.9%, P<0.001). Due to lower absorption rate the rams given SS had significantly higher faecal Se excretion than the Se-yeast fed animals, whereas no differences between the supplemented groups appeared in urinary Se excretion. The 14-week intake of Se-yeast resulted in significantly higher Se deposition in liver, muscles, heart, pancreas and spleen than that from SS. The highest tissue Se concentrations in each group were found in the kidney cortex (BD, SS and Se-yeast were 6.0, 12.9 and 11.9mg/kg DM, respectively), whereas the respective levels in the kidney medulla were about four times lower (1.4, 2.7 and 3.1mg/kg DM). The results demonstrate that in sheep the feed supplementation with Se from Se-yeast results in higher absorption of Se from the digestive tract and greater body Se retention than from SS. However, the inorganic source of Se was as effective as the organic one in supplying this essential trace element for the activity of specific selenoprotein GPx in blood.

C-Phycocyanin Modulates Selenite-Induced Cataractogenesis in Rats

The present investigation is aimed to evaluate the anticataractogenic potential of C-phycocyanin (C-PC), extracted and purified from Spirulina platensis. Enucleated rat lenses were maintained in vitro in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM). Group I contained DMEM, Group II and Group III contained 100μM of sodium selenite, Group III was subdivided into three viz IIIa, IIIb, IIIc supplemented with 100, 150, 200μg of C-PC respectively. In the in vivo study, on tenth day post partum: Group I rat pups received an intraperitoneal injection of saline, Group II, IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc rat pups received a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (19μmol/kg bodyweight) Group IIIa, IIIb, IIIc also received an intraperitoneal injection of 100, 150, 200mg/kg body weight of C-PC, respectively, from postpartum days 9-14. On termination of the experiment, the lenses from both in vitro and in vivo studies were subjected to morphological examination and subsequently processed to estimate the activities of antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, levels of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation products. Sodium selenite-exposed, C-PC-treated rat lenses (Group IIIc), showed significant restoration of antioxidant enzyme activity (p < 0.05) when compared to their counterpart Group II. Group IIIc conserved the levels of GSH and lipid peroxidation products at near to normal levels as compared with Group II. Results conclude the possible role of C-PC in modulating the antioxidant enzyme status, thereby retarding sodium selenite-induced cataract incidence both in vitro and in vivo.

Effect of selenium sources on the expression of cellular glutathione peroxidase and cytoplasmic thioredoxin reductase in the liver and kidney of broiler breeders and their offspring

In total, 180 Lingnan Yellow broiler breeders were used to investigate the effect of different sources of selenium (Se) on the expression of cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) and cytoplasmic thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1) in the liver and kidney of broiler breeders and their offspring by quantitative real-time PCR. There were 6 replicates of 3 dietary treatments. Broiler breeders were fed corn-soy-based diets supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite, Se-enriched yeast (SY), or selenomethionine (SM). At the end of the feeding trial, liver and kidney mRNA levels of GPx1 and TrxR1 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, as well as the activity of GPx1 and TrxR1 in liver and kidney of breeders and their offspring. The results showed that, compared with sodium selenite, SY or SM significantly increased (P < 0.05) the activity of TrxR1 in the liver and kidney of broiler breeders and their offspring but not the GPx1 activity. The liver GPx1 and TrxR1 mRNA levels in SY or SM groups were higher (P < 0.05) than that in the sodium selenite group. And the kidney TrxR1 mRNA levels were also significantly increased (P < 0.05) by using SY or SM, whereas there was no significant difference in the kidney GPx1 mRNA levels between the organic or inorganic sources of Se used.

Effects of selenomethionine and sodium selenite supplementation on meat quality, selenium distribution and antioxidant status in broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of selenomethionine (Se-Met) and sodium selenite (SS) supplementation on meat quality, selenium (Se) distribution, and antioxidant status in broilers. A total of 360 seven-days-old Ross 308 broilers of an average body weight 162 &amp;plusmn; 0.59 g were randomly allotted to three treatments, each of which included three replications of 40 birds. The treatments included a control diet containing 0.04 mg Se/kg and other two diets that contained 0.15 mg Se/kg supplemented by SS or Se-Met. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Selenium supplementation improved (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the Hunter a value of breast muscle in 8 and 16 h and decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the drip loss of breast muscle in 24 and 48 h. Both Se sources and exposed time significantly influenced (P &amp;lt; 0.01) the drip loss of breast muscle. Selenium and glutathione concentrations in serum and in the studied organs were significantly higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) after dietary Se supplementation while the Se-Met group showed the highest value (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity in serum and in the studied organs was also significantly elevated (P &amp;lt; 0.05) by dietary Se supplementation while SS increased the glutathione peroxidase activities in pancreas and breast muscle to a larger extent (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than did Se-Met. The addition of Se from either source caused a significant increase (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in superoxide dismutase activities in tissues (except for kidney) whereas the Se-Met group was more effective (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than the SS group in breast muscle. Selenium supplementation increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the total antioxidant capability in serum, liver, kidney and breast muscle while the Se-Met group proved to be more effective (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than the SS group except for kidney. The Se-supplemented diets had a lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) malondialdehyde concentration in serum and in the studied organs but the effect was more pronounced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) when Se-Met was used except for the serum. These results indicated that Se-Met supplementation was more effective than SS supplementation for depositing Se in serum and tissues, enhancing the antioxidant status and reducing the drip loss of breast muscle.

The curative effects of different drugs on liver cell damage of rats induced by acute nickel carbonyl poisoning

To assess the curative effects of different drugs on liver cell damage of rats induced by acute nickel carbonyl poisoning. In present study 220 SD rats were divided into control group (10 rats), carbonyl nickel group (10 rats), 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone group (40 rats), 100 mg/kg DDC group (40 rats), 10 µmol/kg sodium selenite group (40 rats), 0.25 ml shenfuhuiyangtang group (40 rats) and 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone with 100 mg/kg DDC group (40 rats). All rats except for control group inhaled passively 250 mg/m(3) carbonyl nickel for 30 minutes. At 4h and 30h after exposure, the drugs were given intraperitoneally to the rats. On the 3rd and 7th days after exposure, the liver samples were taken from 10 rats each group. The DNA damage of liver cells was detected using comet assay, the ultrastructure changes in liver cells were examined under an electronmicroscope. Compared to carbonyl nickel group, the tail lengths of liver cells in 5 groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the tail lengths of liver cells in sodium selenite and shenfuhuiyangtang groups administrated at 4h after exposure or sodium selenite, shenfuhuiyangtang and methylprednisolone with DDC groups administrated at 30h after exposure increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), when tested on the 3rd day after exposure. Except from methylprednisolone sub-group administrated at 4h and tested on the 7th day after exposure, the tail lengths of liver cells in other groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to carbonyl nickel group, the Olive moment of liver cells in 5 groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, the Olive moment of liver cells in following groups (selenite and shenfuhuiyangtang groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure, DDC group administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure, DDC group administrated at 30h and tested on the 3rd day after exposure, and methylprednisolone with DDC group administrated at 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure) increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). As compared with carbonyl nickel group, the ultrastructure observation indicated that the nucleus and other organelles of liver cells in methylprednisolone, DDC and methylprednisolone with DDC groups administrated at 4h and tested on the 3rd day were access to normal levels. The results of present study showed that methylprednisolone, DDC and methylprednisolone with DDC could improve obviously the repair of rat liver cell damage induced by acute carbonyl nickel poisoning, and the curative effects of early treatment were better than those of later treatment.

Effect of Selenium-enriched Bean Sprout and Other Selenium Sources on Productivity and Selenium Concentration in Eggs of Laying Hens

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Se-enriched bean sprout, Se-enriched yeast and sodium selenite on productivity, egg quality and egg Se concentrations in laying hens. Using a Completely Randomized Design, 144 Rohman laying hens at 71 weeks of age were divided into four groups. Each group consisted of four replicates and each replicate contained nine hens. The dietary treatments were T1: control diet, T2: control diet plus 0.3 mg Se/kg from sodium selenite, T3: control diet plus 0.3 mg Se/kg from Se-enriched yeast, T4: control diet plus 0.3 mg Se/kg from Se-enriched bean sprout. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in feed intake, egg production and egg quality among treatments. Selenium supplementation from Se-enriched yeast and Se-enriched bean sprout markedly increased (p<0.05) egg Se concentration as compared to the control and sodium selenite groups. The results indicated that Se-enriched bean sprout could be used as an alternative Se source in diets of laying hens.

Effect of a long-term peroral supplementation with sodium selenite and selenium lactate-protein complex on selenium status in goats and their kids

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a long-term peroral selenium supplementation in the form of sodium selenite and selenium lactate-protein complex by comparing selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity in blood of goats and their kids as well as comparing selenium concentrations in goat colostrums. For the study, a total of 27 clinically healthy pregnant white shorthair goats were used. They were divided to three groups, i.e., the control group (C) without any selenium supplementation, sodium selenite group (E1) and selenium lactate-protein complex group (E2). For four months, experimental goats received 0.43 mg of selenium per animal per day in diet; goats from the control group were given 0.15 mg of selenium per animal per day. At the beginning of the experiment, goats of all groups showed an average selenium concentration of 96 &amp;mu;g/l in whole blood. On the parturition day, samples of first colostrum from goats and heparinized blood from goats and kids were taken. In the control group (C), average blood selenium concentrations of 111.4 ± 33.5 &amp;mu;g/l were observed on the parturition day. In both experimental groups, selenium concentrations were significantly higher (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05). Average selenium concentration in the sodium selenite group (E1) was 177.2 ± 34.8 &amp;mu;g/l and in the group supplemented with selenium lactate-protein complex (E2) 159.0 ± 28.5 &amp;mu;g/l. Average glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in blood of control goats (C) was 581.9 ± 99.2 &amp;mu;kat/l, in group E1 1 154.6 ± 156.2 &amp;mu;kat/l and in group E2 1 011.6 ± 153.6 &amp;mu;kat/l. GSH-Px activity in experimental groups was significantly higher (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) as compared with the control group. Average selenium concentrations in colostrum was in the control group 40.1 ± 12.8 &amp;mu;g/l, in E1 99.0 ± 29.9 &amp;mu;g/l and in group E2 79.0 ± 17.7 &amp;mu;g/l. Colostral selenium concentrations in experimental groups were significantly higher (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) as compared with the control group. No significant difference in the monitored parameters was found between experimental groups. In kids of control mothers (kC), average selenium concentrations in blood on the parturition day were 62.4 ± 22.9 &amp;mu;g/l; kids of mothers supplemented with sodium selenite (kE1) showed average selenium levels of 100.0 ± 31.2 &amp;mu;g/l, and the average selenium concentration in kids of mothers receiving lactate-protein complex was 83.4 ± 20.1 &amp;mu;g/l (kE2). Average GSH-Px activity in control kids (kC) was 402.1 ± 153.9 &amp;mu;kat/l. Kids from kE1 showed average activity of GSH-Px 806.1 ± 254.9 &amp;mu;kat/l and kids from group kE2 529.9 ± 119.8 &amp;mu;kat/l. Statistically significant difference (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) was found only between kC and kE1 which showed significantly higher selenium concentration and GSH-Px activity. The results of this study confirm that both forms of selenium administered in experimental groups (i.e., sodium selenite and selenium lactate-protein complex) had similar biological effect in goats. However, results obtained in kids indicate a better effect of supplementation with sodium selenite.

Comparison of glutathione peroxidase 1 and iodothyronine deiodinase 1 mRNA expression in murine liver after feeding selenite or selenized yeast

The experiment was conducted to compare the effect of different selenium sources on the expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) and iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (Dio1) mRNA in mice by quantitative real-time PCR. A total of 60 male Kunming mice at average body weight of 20 g were allotted to three groups in a randomized complete block design, namely two treatments and one control. Mice in Group 1 were fed a basal diet as control, while mice in Groups 2 and 3 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.1mg/kg selenium as sodium selenite or selenized yeast, respectively. Whole feeding experiment lasted for 30 d. At the end of the feeding trial, liver mRNA levels of GPx1 and Dio1 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, as well as growth performance, body composition, blood and GPx activity were determined. The results showed that no significant differences in overall growth performance and body composition, including body weight, body length, heart weight, kidney weight and liver weight, were found between the experimental groups (P>0.05). Blood GPx activity increased in all of the selenium supplemented groups compared with control group (P<0.01). However, blood GPx activity in selenized yeast group was higher than that in sodium selenite group (P<0.05). Liver mRNA levels of GPx1 and Dio1 also increased in the two selenium supplemented groups compared with the control group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the sodium selenite and selenized yeast groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, selenium increased the mRNA expression of GPx1 and Dio1 genes in murine liver, and there was no significant difference between the organic or inorganic form of selenium used.

Selenium supplementation improves antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo in patients with coronary artery disease: The SElenium Therapy in Coronary Artery disease Patients (SETCAP) Study

Selenium is a central determinant of antioxidative glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1) expression and activity. The relevance of selenium supplementation on GPx-1 in coronary artery disease (CAD) needs to be established. We assessed the effect of selenium supplementation on GPx-1 in cell culture and on endothelial function in a prospective clinical trial. Human coronary artery endothelial cells were incubated with 5.78 to 578 nmol/L sodium selenite, Se-methyl-selenocysteine hydrochloride, or seleno-l-methionine. Glutathione peroxidase 1 mRNA and protein expression and activity were measured. Coronary artery disease patients (n = 465) with impaired endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation [FMD] <8%) were randomly assigned to receive 200 or 500 microg sodium selenite daily or matching placebo during a 12-week period. We tested the effect on red blood cell GPx-1 activity and brachial artery FMD. Furthermore, differences in biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation were measured. Sodium selenite and Se-methyl-selenocysteine hydrochloride increased GPx-1 protein and activity in a dose-dependent manner (P < .0001). The intention-to-treat groups comprised 433 CAD patients. Glutathione peroxidase 1 activity increased from 37.0 U/gHb (31.3-41.7) to 41.1 U/gHb (35.2-48.4) (P < .0001) in the 200 microg and from 38.1 U/gHb (33.2-43.8) to 42.6 U/gHb (35.0-49.1) (P < .0001) in the 500 microg sodium selenite group treated for 12-weeks. No relevant changes were observed for FMD or biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Sodium selenite supplementation increases GPx-1 activity in endothelial cells and in CAD patients. Future studies have to demonstrate whether long-term CAD outcome can be improved.

Influence of organic versus inorganic dietary selenium supplementation on the concentration of selenium in colostrum, milk and blood of beef cows.

BackgroundSelenium (Se) is important for the postnatal development of the calf. In the first weeks of life, milk is the only source of Se for the calf and insufficient level of Se in the milk may lead to Se deficiency. Maternal Se supplementation is used to prevent this.We investigated the effect of dietary Se-enriched yeast (SY) or sodium selenite (SS) supplements on selected blood parameters and on Se concentrations in the blood, colostrum, and milk of Se-deficient Charolais cows.MethodsCows in late pregnancy received a mineral premix with Se (SS or SY, 50 mg Se per kg premix) or without Se (control – C). Supplementation was initiated 6 weeks before expected calving. Blood and colostrum samples were taken from the cows that had just calved (Colostral period). Additional samples were taken around 2 weeks (milk) and 5 weeks (milk and blood) after calving corresponding to Se supplementation for 6 and 12 weeks, respectively (Lactation period) for Se, biochemical and haematological analyses.ResultsColostral period. Se concentrations in whole blood and colostrum on day 1 post partum and in colostrum on day 3 post partum were 93.0, 72.9, and 47.5 μg/L in the SY group; 68.0, 56.0 and 18.8 μg/L in the SS group; and 35.1, 27.3 and 10.5 μg/L in the C group, respectively. Differences among all the groups were significant (P < 0.01) at each sampling, just as the colostrum Se content decreases were from day 1 to day 3 in each group. The relatively smallest decrease in colostrum Se concentration was found in the SY group (P < 0.01).Lactation period. The mean Se concentrations in milk in weeks 6 and 12 of supplementation were 20.4 and 19.6 μg/L in the SY group, 8.3 and 11.9 μg/L in the SS group, and 6.9 and 6.6 μg/L in the C group, respectively. The values only differed significantly in the SS group (P < 0.05). The Se concentrations in the blood were similar to those of cows examined on the day of calving. The levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were 364.70, 283.82 and 187.46 μkat/L in the SY, SS, and C groups, respectively. This was the only significantly variable biochemical and haematological parameter.ConclusionSe-enriched yeast was much more effective than sodium selenite in increasing the concentration of Se in the blood, colostrum and milk, as well as the GSH-Px activity.

Effect of glutathione and sodium selenite on the metabolism of arsenic in mice exposed to arsenic through drinking water

To explore the effect of glutathione (GSH) and sodium selenite on the metabolism of arsenic in the liver, kidney and blood of mice exposed to iAsIII through drinking water. The mice were randomly divided into control, arsenic, GSH and sodium selenite group, respectively. And each group had eight mice and the mice were exposed to 50 mg/L arsenite by drinking water for 4 weeks. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with GSH (600 mg/kg) and sodium selenite (1 mg/kg) for seven days from the beginning of the fourth week. At the end of the fourth week, liver, kidney and blood were sampled to assess the concentrations of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (MMA), dimethylarsenic acid (DMA) by hydride generation trapping by ultra-hypothermia coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry. The liver DMA (233.76 +/- 60.63 ng/g) concentration in GSH group was significantly higher than the arsenic group (218.36 +/- 42.71 ng/g). The concentration of DMA (88.52 +/- 30.86 ng/g) and total arsenic (TAs) (162.32 +/- 49.45 ng/g) in blood of GSH group was significantly higher than those [(45.32 +/- 12.19 ng/g), (108.51 +/- 18.00 ng/g), respectively] of arsenic groups(q values were 3.06, 6.40, 10.72 respectively, P < 0.05). The primary methylated index (PMI) (0.65 +/- 0.050) and secondary methylated index (SMI) (0.55 +/- 0.050) in liver sample of GSH group were significantly higher than those (0.58 +/- 0.056, 0.44 +/- 0. 093) in arsenic group. In blood samples, the PMI (0.85 +/- 0.066) in GSH group was significantly higher than that (0.54 +/- 0.113) in arsenic group (q values were 3.75, 5.26, 4.21 respectively, P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was identified between sodium selenite and arsenic groups in liver, kidney or blood samples. And no significant difference was detected in kidney samples among all arsenic exposing groups. Exogenous GSH could promote the methylated metabolism of iAsIII, but sodium selenite showed no significant effects.

Effect of dietary selenium sources on growth performance, breast muscle selenium, glutathione peroxidase activity and oxidative stability in broilers

This study examined the effects of supplementation of dietary sodium selenite and sodium enriched alga &lt;I&gt;Chlorella&lt;/I&gt; on growth performance, selenium concentration in breast meat and excreta, activity of glutathione peroxidase in meat, and oxidative stability of meat in broilers. Sexed broiler cockerels Ross 308 were allotted to 3 dietary treatments, each comprising 100 chickens. The basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control) or 0.3 mg/kg Se from sodium selenite (SS) or Se-&lt;I&gt;Chlorella&lt;/I&gt; (SCH). Dietary supplementation with SCH increased (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) body weight. The breast muscle Se concentration was increased (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) by SCH (0.70 mg/kg DM; 0.36 mg/kg DM in control) supplementation, but not (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &gt; 0.05) by SS (0.49 mg/kg DM) supplementation. The concentration of Se in excreta was highest in the SS group. The activity of GSH-Px in breast meat was significant &lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) in all treatments (0.16 U/g in control, 0.30 U/g in SS and 0.23 U/g in SCH group). The inclusion of SCH in the diet enhanced the oxidative stability of meat expressed as reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) values in breast meat after 0; 3 and 5 days storage in refrigerator at 3 to 5°C.

Ultrastructural evaluation of the radioprotective effect of sodium selenite on submandibular glands in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the radioprotector effect of sodium selenite on the ultrastructure of submandibular glands in rats. Fifty-seven male albino Wistar rats were randomized to 4 groups: control, irradiated, sodium selenite and irradiated/sodium selenite. The animals in the sodium selenite and irradiated/sodium selenite groups received intraperitoneal injections of sodium selenite (0.5 mg/kg body weight) 24 h before irradiation. The animals belonging to the irradiated and irradiated/sodium selenite groups were submitted to 15 Gy of gamma radiation in the head and neck region. The submandibular glands were removed at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after irradiation. The ionizing radiation induced damage to the secretory cells, especially the serous cells, right from the first period. Vacuolization, lysis of cytoplasmic inclusions and nuclear alterations occurred. The sodium selenite group also presented cellular alterations in the study periods, but with less damage compared to that caused by radiation. There was greater similarity between the irradiated/sodium selenite group and the control group than with the other groups treated in all study periods. Despite the alterations observed in the sodium selenite group, sodium selenite presented a radioprotective action on the secretory cells of submandibular glands.

Sodium selenite is a potent radioprotector of the salivary glands of the rat: acute effects on the morphology and parenchymal function during fractioned irradiation

In vitro studies show that sodium selenite is a potential radioprotector in normal cultural cells, but not in tumor cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytoprotective potency of sodium selenite during a conventional fractioned irradiation of the salivary glands of rats. The head and neck area of male WAG/RijH rats was irradiated with (60)Co-gamma rays (60 Gy/30 fractions/6 weeks). Sodium selenite (15 microg/kg body weight) was applied through a venous port 30 min before irradiation. Rats of a control group were treated in the same manner with an equal volume of physiologic sodium chloride. In the course of treatment, the salivary glands were resected at different stages and examined histopathologically. The evaluation of gland function was performed prior to and after radiotherapy by sialoscintigraphy. The irradiation caused dose-dependent damage in the salivary glands. Intra- and intercellular edema (16 Gy), vacuolization (30 Gy), degranulation (46 Gy) and necrosis of the acinar cells (60 Gy) occurred. Sodium selenite delayed the development of the described damage; additionally, the number of necrotic acinar cells after the application of 60 Gy was reduced (control, 75% vs. sodium selenite, 30%). The sialoscintigaphical results confirmed these results: the loss in gland function in the control group was 74 vs. 44% (P < 0.05) in the sodium selenite group. Based on the morphological and sialoscintigraphical findings, a cytoprotective effect on the acute toxicity of the salivary glands of rats could be detected during irradiation with synchronous application of sodium selenite.