Effect of selenium depletion and supplementation on the kinetics of type 1 5′-iodothyronine deiodinase and T3/T4 in rats

Presently, the effect of selenium (Se) deficiency and excess of Se (1 ppm) on the activity of selenoenzymes type 1 5′-iodothyronine deiodinase (5′-DI), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and level of thyroid hormones (T₃ and T₄) was studied in rats. Se levels in the serum and liver, T₃ and T₄ in the serum, GSH-Px levels in the liver, and 5′-DI activity in the liver/aorta/thyroid were estimated after 1, 2, and 3 mo of Se-deficient (0.02 ppm), Se-adequate (0.2 ppm), and Se-excess (1 ppm) diet feeding. All of these parameters decreased significantly in the Se-deficient group as compared to the adequate group. Within the deficient group, as the Se deficiency progressed, all of the parameters except 5′-DI decreased after 2 and 3 mo in comparison to 1-mo data. Thyroidal 5′-DI activity in Se deficiency showed the maximum increase. A significant increase was observed in all of the above parameters in the 1 ppm Se-supplemented diet group when compared with the adequate Se group; also, as the Se deposition increased within the Se-excess diet group, a significant increase was observed in all of the above parameters. However, as observed by others, the intake of excess of Se (i.e., 2 ppm in the diet) did not elevate the activities of selenoenzymes and thyroid hormones; rather, it had adverse effects. The present study concludes that Se supplementation at least up to 1 ppm enhances the selenoenzyme activities, and above this level, it may not be considered as an indicator of selenoenzyme activities.     

Attenuation of LDL receptor gene expression by selenium deficiency during hypercholesterolemia

Selenium deficiency has been associated with hypercholesterolemia. Present study was aimed to determine the effect of selenium (Se) deficiency on LDL receptor (LDL-R) activity as well as mRNA expression during experimental hypercholesterolemia in SD male rats. Animals were fed Se adequate (0.2 ppm) and deficient (0.02 ppm) control diet as well as high cholesterol (2%) diet (HCD) for 1 and 2 months. LDL-R activity was measured in vivo by injecting radiolabeled LDL to rats and percent decrease in cpm with time was taken as a measure of LDL clearance and in turn LDL-R activity. LDL-R mRNA expression was studied by RT-PCR. LDL-R activity and mRNA expression decreased significantly on HCD feeding in both Se deficient and adequate diet fed rats after 2 months. In Se deficiency receptor activity and mRNA expression decreased significantly. After 2 months LDL-R activity and expression decreased in both the Se deficient groups and in Se adequate HCD fed group in comparison to 1 month data. But after 4 month there was no significant difference observed in LDL-R activity and mRNA expression in selenium deficiency as well as on HCD feeding. So the present results demonstrate that Se deficiency act synergistically with hypercholesterolemia to downregulate LDL-R activity as well as mRNA expression.     

Inhibition of CDC2/Cyclin B1 in response to selenium-induced oxidative stress during spermatogenesis: potential role of Cdc25c and p21

Various cell cycle regulators control and coordinate the process of cell cycle. Because of the crucial involvement of CDC2, Cyclin B1, Cdc25c, and p21 in cell cycle regulation, the present study was aimed to investigate the possibility that selenium (Se)-induced oxidative stress mediated alterations in Cdc25c and p21 may cause modulations in the CDC2/Cyclin B1 complex responsible for G2/M phase checkpoint during meiosis I of spermatogenesis. To create different Se status-deficient, adequate and excess Se, male Balb/c mice were fed yeast based Se deficient diet (group I) and deficient diet supplemented with Se as sodium selenite at 0.2 and 1 ppm Se (group II and III) for a period of 8 weeks. After completion of the diet feeding schedule, a significant decrease in the Se and glutathione peroxidase levels were observed in the Se deficient group (I), whereas Se excess group (III) demonstrated an increase in Se levels. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) were seen in both group I and group III when compared to group II, thus indicating oxidative stressed conditions. The mRNA and protein expression of CDC2, Cyclin B1, and Cdc25c were found to be significantly decreased in groups I and III. However, the expression of p21, a kinase inhibitor, was found to be elevated in Se deficient and Se excess fed groups. A statistically significant decrease in the CDC2 kinase activity was also seen in the Se deficient and excess groups. These findings suggest that under the influence of Se-induced oxidative stress, the down regulation of CDC2/Cyclin B1 complex is mediated through changes in Cdc25c and p21 leading to the cell cycle arrest and thus providing new dimensions to the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility.     

Diminished reproductive potential of male mice in response to selenium‐induced oxidative stress: Involvement of HSP70, HSP70‐2, and MSJ‐1

The oxidative stress imposed by nutritional variations in selenium (Se) has plausible role in reproductive toxicology and affects the reproductive potential. Also, the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is a highly regulated event throughout the process of spermatogenesis and is modulated by stressful stimuli. This prompted us to investigate the possibility that Se‐induced oxidative stress may affect the fertility status by altering the expressions of the constitutive and inducible HSP70 proteins, having crucial role in spermatogenesis. Different Se status‐deficient, adequate, and excess, male Balb/c mice were created by feeding yeast‐based Se‐deficient diet (group I) and deficient diet supplemented with Se as sodium selenite at 0.2 and 1 ppm Se (group II and III) for a period of 8 weeks. After completion of the diet‐feeding schedule, a significant decrease in the Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) levels was observed in the Se‐deficient group (I), whereas Se‐excess group (III) demonstrated an increase. Increased levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and alterations in the redox status in both groups I and III indicated oxidative‐stressed conditions. There was an overall reduced fertility status in mice supplemented with Se‐deficient and Se‐excess diet. The mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 was found to be elevated in these two groups, whereas the expression patterns of HSP70‐2 and MSJ‐1 demonstrated a reverse trend. In vitro CDC2 kinase assay showed reduced kinase activity in group I and group III. These findings suggest that Se‐induced oxidative stress by differentially regulating various HSP70s can affect its downstream factors having crucially important role in differentiation of germ cells and completion of spermatogenesis. Therefore, it can provide an insight into the mechanism(s) by which the oxidative stress–induced reproductive toxicity can lead to increased apoptosis/growth arrest and infertility. This will thus add new dimensions to the molecular mechanism underlying the human male infertility and open new vistas in the development of various chemo‐preventive methods. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:125–136, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20276     

Hypercholesterolemia and tissue-specific differential mRNA expression of type-1 5'-iodothyronine deiodinase under different selenium status in rats

Type-1 5'-iodothyronine deiodinase (5'-DI) is responsible for conversion of T4 to T3. Selenium (Se) is an integral part of this enzyme. Keeping in view the strong association between atherosclerosis and hypothyroidism, the present study examined the behavior of 5'-DI in liver, aorta and thyroid during hypercholesterolemia following different Se status, i.e., Se deficiency (0.02 ppm), adequate (0.2 ppm) and excess dose (1 ppm) in SD male rats. Animals were fed a control or high-cholesterol diet (2%) for 1 and 2 months. 5'-DI activity and mRNA expression was measured by RIA and RT-PCR respectively. In liver and aorta, 5'-DI expression significantly decreased with the Se-deficient and the high-cholesterol diet. The trend was opposite in thyroid, i.e., mRNA expression increased significantly during selenium deficiency and with a high-cholesterol feeding. But with 1 ppm Se supplementation, the 5'-DI expression increased in all the three tissues. The present study indicates that hypercholesterolemia along with selenium deficiency is co-responsible for differential regulation of 5'-DI enzyme in thyroidal vs. extrathyroidal tissues. Distinct regulation of 5'-DI in the thyroid reflects the clinical importance of this selenoprotein during hypercholesterolemia as this enzyme is essential for T3 production, which further has a vital role in the maintenance of lipid metabolism.     

Host selenium deficiency increases the severity of chronic inflammatory myopathy in Trypanosoma cruzi-inoculated mice

Weanling C3H/HeN mice were fed either a torula yeast-based diet deficient in selenium (Se) or the same diet supplemented with 0.2 ppm Se as sodium selenite. After 4 wk of feeding, the mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with the CA-I strain (clone K98) of Trypanosoma cruzi (TC). Before inoculation, mean serum Se levels were 430 versus 61 ng/ml in adequate and deficient mice, respectively. During the ascending phase of parasitemia, the Se-deficient mice exhibited significantly higher levels of parasites at 22-34 days postinfection (PI). However, no difference was found in the subsequent descending phase. As judged by visual examination at 2-mo-PI, some Se-deficient infected mice presented clinical signs of motor dysfunction. At 3-mo-PI, the end of the observation period, this chronic disease developed into a hind limb flaccid paralysis affecting 5 of 8 infected deficient mice. No signs of paralysis were seen in noninfected mice fed either diet or in infected mice fed the Se-adequate diet. At the histological level, both Se-adequate and Se-deficient infected mice showed mild myocarditis and moderate to severe myositis, with increasing intensity from 1- to 3-mo-PI in both groups. However, the severity of myositis was always more intense in the Se-deficient mice so that prominent areas of skeletal muscle replaced by fibrotic tissue were frequently observed. Thus, it can be concluded that Se deficiency in the murine host increases the severity of TC-induced myositis.     

Effect of physical restraint on oxidative stress in mice fed a selenium and vitamin E deficient diet

Physical restraint has been associated with increased oxidative damage to lipid, protein, and DNA. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether physical restraint would further exacerbate oxidative stress in mice fed a selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VE) deficient diet. Three-week-old mice were fed a Torula yeast diet containing adequate or deficient Se and VE. Menhaden oil was added to the deficient diet to impose an additional oxidative stress. After 4 wk feeding, half the mice in each group were restrained for 5 d in well-ventilated conical tubes for 8 h daily. Mice fed the Se and VE deficient diets had increased liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels and decreased liver glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) activity and α-tocopherol levels. Plasma corticosterone levels were elevated in restrained mice fed the deficient diet compared to unrestrained mice fed the adequate diet. Restraint had no effect on liver TBARS or α-tocopherol levels. Liver GPX1 activity, however, was lower in restrained mice fed the adequate diet. In addition, liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lower in the restrained mice fed the adequate or deficient diet. Thus, under our conditions, Se and VE deficient diet, but not restraint, increased lipid peroxidation in mice. Restraint, however, decreased antioxidant protection in mice due to decreased activities of GPX1 and SOD enzymes.     

Dietary selenium variation-induced oxidative stress modulates CDC2/cyclin B1 expression and apoptosis of germ cells in mice testis

Oxidative stress has been linked with apoptosis in germ cells and with male infertility. However, the molecular mechanism of oxidative-stress-mediated apoptosis in germ cells has not been clearly defined so far. Because of the involvement of CDC2 and cyclin B1 in cell cycle regulation and their plausible role in apoptosis, the present study aimed to investigate the possibility that selenium (Se)-induced oxidative-stress-mediated modulations of these cell cycle regulators cause DNA damage and apoptosis in germ cells. To create different Se status (deficient, adequate and excess), male Balb/c mice were fed yeast-based Se-deficient diet (Group I) and a deficient diet supplemented with Se as sodium selenite (0.2 and 1 ppm Se in Groups II and III, respectively) for a period of 8 weeks. After the completion of the diet feeding schedule, a significant decrease in Se levels and glutathione peroxidase activity was observed in the Se-deficient group (Group I), whereas the Se-excess group (Group III) demonstrated an increase in Se levels. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation were seen in both Groups I and III when compared to Group II, indicating oxidative stress. The mRNA and protein expressions of both CDC2 and cyclin B1 were found to be significantly decreased in Groups I and III. A decrease in the immunohistochemical localization of these proteins was also observed in spermatogenic cells. The mRNA expressions of apoptotic factors such as Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were found to be increased in Groups I and III. A decrease in CDC2 kinase activity was also seen in these groups. Increased apoptosis was observed in Group I and Group III animals by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling assay indicating oxidative-stress-mediated DNA damage. These findings suggest the effect of Se-induced oxidative stress on the cell cycle regulators and apoptotic activity of germ cells, thus providing new dimensions to molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility.     

Modulation of hypercholesterolemia-induced alterations in apolipoprotein B and HMG-CoA reductase expression by selenium supplementation

Various studies demonstrated a significant association between the trace element selenium (Se), hypercholesterolemia and the risk of cardiovascular disorders. Present study was aimed to reveal the role of Se supplementation in modulation of hypercholesterolemia-induced changes in apolipoprotein B (apoB) and 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl co-enzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase expression during experimental hypercholesterolemia in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Animals were fed 0.2 and 1 ppm Se-supplemented control diet as well as 2% cholesterol-supplemented diet for 3 months. Apolipoprotein B levels were measured by ELISA and Western blot. HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression was studied by RT-PCR. ApoB levels increased significantly on 2% cholesterol-supplemented diet feeding. On 1 ppm Se supplementation apoB levels decreased significantly. HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression decreased significantly on cholesterol-supplemented diet feeding and on 1 ppm Se supplementation the mRNA expression further decreased. So the present results demonstrate that 1 ppm Se supplementation is responsible for down regulation of apoB and HMG-CoA reductase expression during hypercholesterolemia. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of selenium supplementation in lipid metabolism.     

Hyperlipidemia and type I 5′-monodeiodinase activity

Male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups: (I) control, (II) high-fat-diet (HFD) fed, and (III) HFD fed+selenium supplemented. After 3 mo of treatment, there was a significant increase in serum cholesterol and triglycerides in the HFD-fed group as compared to the control. However in the selenium (Se)-supplemented group, the levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly less as compared to group II. HFD feeding resulted in decreased serum Se levels, but supplementation of dietary Se along with HFD, as in group III, showed an apparent increase in its levels. The Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the liver and the aorta increased significantly in HFD-fed animals and also showed an additional significant increase on Se supplementation. Both serum T₃ and T₄ levels showed a significant decrease on HFD feeding. However, supplementation of Se led to a significant increase in the levels of these parameters viz-à-viz HFD-fed animals. HFD feeding significantly decreased the activity of type I iodothyronine 5′-deiodinase (5′-DI) in the liver from group II rats. On supplementation of Se along with HFD, the activity increased in the liver. However, there was no significant change in its activity in the aorta. The 5′-DI activity in the thyroid showed an opposite trend in comparison with peripheral tissues (i.e., liver). The important finding of this study is that in the hyperlipidemic state, deiodinase in the thyroid behaves in a different manner as compared to its activity in extrathyroidal tissues.     

Hypercholesterolemia and LDL receptor mRNA expression: modulation by selenium supplementation

Selenium (Se) status has been associated with cardiovascular disorders. Present study was aimed to elucidate the protective role of Se supplementation on LDL receptor (LDL-R) activity as well as mRNA expression during experimental hypercholesterolemia in SD male rats. Animals were fed 0.2 and 1 ppm Se supplemented control diet as well as 2% cholesterol supplemented diet for 3 months. LDL-R activity was measured in-vivo by injecting radiolabeled LDL to rats and decrease in counts per minute with time was taken as a measure of LDL clearance and in turn LDL-R activity. LDL-R mRNA expression was studied by RT-PCR. LDL-R activity and mRNA expression decreased significantly on 2% cholesterol supplemented diet feeding. On 1 ppm Se supplementation LDL-R activity as well as mRNA expression increased significantly. Present results demonstrate that Se supplementation upto 1 ppm is responsible for up regulation of LDL-R activity as well as mRNA expression, during hypercholesterolemia. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Se supplementation in lipid metabolism.     

Serum TG-lowering properties of plant sterols and stanols are associated with decreased hepatic VLDL secretion

Plant sterols and stanols are structurally similar to cholesterol and when added to the diet they are able to reduce serum total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. They also lower serum triglyceride concentrations in humans, particularly under conditions of hypertriglyceridemia. The aim of this study was to unravel the mechanism by which plant sterols and stanols reduce serum triglyceride concentrations in high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed HFD for 4 weeks. Subsequently, they received HFD, HFD supplemented with 3.1% plant sterol ester (PSE) or HFD supplemented with 3.1% plant stanol ester (PSA) for another three weeks. Both PSE and PSA feeding resulted in decreased plasma triglyceride concentrations compared with HFD, while plasma cholesterol levels were unchanged. Interestingly, hepatic cholesterol levels were decreased in the PSE/PSA groups compared with HFD and no differences were found in hepatic triglyceride levels between groups. To investigate the mechanism underlying the hypotriglyceridemic effects from PSE/PSA feeding, we measured chylomicron and VLDL secretion. PSE and PSA feeding resulted in reduced VLDL secretion, while no differences were found between groups in chylomicron secretion. In conclusion, our data indicate that plasma triglyceride-lowering resulting from PSE and PSA feeding is associated with decreased hepatic VLDL secretion.     

Iodoamino acid distribution and weight of the thyroid gland, T4 serum level and T4 metabolism in relation to diet, body fat content and age of rats

Rats were rendered obese by feeding them a fatty diet (HFD, fat: 50% of weight). At the end of the experimental period the animals were divided, also the control rats, which were fed a low-fat diet (LFD, fat: 3% of weight), in light and heavy weight groups. The heavy and obese HFD groups showed, unlike the light LFD-animals, equal absolute but significantly lower relative thyroidal weights. The absolute thyroidal weights of light and heavy animal groups, which received in each case the same diet, were identical, the relative thyroidal weights of the heavy rats on the other hand decreased significantly. The iodoamino acid distribution in the thyroid of rats showed no variation in animals fed various diets and differed in body mass and fat content. The T4 serum levels of the HFD-, in comparison to the LFD-animals increased significantly. Between light and heavy animals in equal diet groups no differences were obtained for the T4 serum values. The serum T3 levels of LFD- and HFD-rats were also equal. The heavy HFD- showed in comparison to the light LFD-animals a significantly lower T4 clearance and in the higher age groups a significantly extended T4 half-life time. The HFD- and LFD-rats with approximately equal body mass and body fat content showed no differences in T4 half-life time and T4 clearance rate depending on diet. A relation between higher body fat content and increased serum T4 levels as a possible adaption to obesity in heavy HFD-rats is discussed. By the comparison of younger and older rats in the most investigated diet and weight groups the older animals showed a decreasing tendency for K and TD/100 g KM and a significant decrease in the clearance rate and in the TD for T4, related to body mass. An influence of diet, body mass or fat content on the decrease of the T4 metabolism of rats with increased age is not evident. The T4 serum levels were not different in dependence on age, but the free T4 serum level was significantly lower in the older rats.     

The effect of selenium on the hepatic drug metabolism and inducibility in rat

1. Rats were fed either a normal or selenium-deficient diet for 4 weeks. The subgroup on selenium deficient diet had selenium supplementation as 3 ppm Se in the drinking water. Benzo(a)pyrene was given intraperitoneally as an inducer. 2. Se deficiency decreased glutathione peroxidase and cytochrome c-reductase activities while other activities were unchanged as compared to normal diet. 3. Selenium deficiency was a prerequisite for the induction of glutathione peroxidase, S-reductase and S-transferase enzymes. 4. Benzo(a)pyrene increased hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 content in rats on normal and selenium supplemented diet but not in the selenium deficient group. 5. The 7-ethoxyresorufin and 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and cytochrome c-reductase activities were increased by benzo(a)pyrene in all the dietary groups. 6. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity was also increased by benzo(a)pyrene in all the experimental groups and this was true with p-nitrophenol and phenolphthalein as aglycons.     

Glutathione peroxidase activity and selenoprotein W levels in different brain regions of selenium-depleted rats(1)

Previous studies in selenium (Se)-depleted sheep and rats showed that selenoprotein W (SeW) levels decreased in all tissues except brain. To further investigate this depletion in different parts of the brain, second generation Se-depleted rats were used. Dams consumed a Se-deficient basal diet during gestation and lactation, and deficient rats were obtained by continuation on the same diet. Control rats were fed a diet with 0.1-mg Se/kg diet after weaning. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities were measured for comparative purposes to SeW levels. GPX activity in muscle, skin, spleen, and testis increased about 4-fold with Se repletion and reached a plateau after 6 or 10 weeks, but GPX activity decreased to almost one tenth of the original activity with continuous Se depletion. In contrast, GPX activities increased, rather than declined, in various brain regions (cortex, cerebellum, and thalamus) with time of feeding the deficient diet. An experiment with first generation rats, however, indicated that GPX activity was significantly lower in these three brain regions from rats fed the deficient diet as compared to rats fed the supplemented diet. SeW levels in skin, spleen, muscle, and testis were undetectable in weanling rats, but became detectable after 6 weeks of Se repletion. In contrast, the expression of SeW in cortex, cerebellum, and thalamus was not significantly affected by Se depletion, but increased SeW levels occurred only in thalamus with Se supplementation. The results with GPX using first and second generation rats suggest that there are "mobile" and "immobile" GPX fractions in the brain.