Intra-erythrocyte Magnesium Is Associated with Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase in Obese Children and Adolescents

This study aims at determining the association between markers of hepatic injury and serum, urinary, and intra-erythrocyte magnesium concentrations and dietary magnesium intake in obese children and adolescents. In a case–control study, 42 obese children and adolescents (8–18 years) and 42 sex- and puberty-matched controls were studied. Serum, urinary, and intra-erythrocyte magnesium levels, indices of insulin sensitivity, and liver enzymes were measured. Dietary magnesium intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Obese children and adolescents exhibited insulin resistance as determined by a higher fasting insulin and the HOMA-IR (p < 0.001) and lower QUICKI indices (p = 0.001); in addition these subjects had significantly higher intra-erythrocyte magnesium (IEM) concentrations, than non-obese ones (3.99 ± 1.05 vs. 3.35 ± 1.26 mg/dL of packed cell; p = 0.015). Among liver enzymes, only gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was significantly higher in obese than in non-obese subjects (22.7 ± 9.4 vs. 17.1 ± 7.9 U/l; p = 0.002). A positive association was found between GGT and IEM in both groups; however in multivariate analysis, in obese subjects, only GGT (p = 0.026) and, in non-obese subjects, only age (p = 0.006) remained as significant predictors of IEM. In conclusion, increased IEM concentration was seen in insulin-resistant obese children and adolescents; furthermore, serum GGT was associated with IEM, independently of body mass index and HOMA-IR.     

Hair Trace Elements in Overweight and Obese Adults in Association with Metabolic Parameters

The objective of the present study was to investigate the level of toxic and essential trace elements in hair of adult overweight and obese persons as well as its association with metabolic parameters. Hair trace element levels were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry in 112 overweight and obese patients and 106 lean controls. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, uric acid (UA) levels, and cholinesterase (CE) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity were also assessed. Excessive body weight significantly affected hair trace element levels. In particular, hair Co (33%), Cu (13%), I (30%), Mg (2-fold), Mn (25%), Zn (17%), and Ni (21%) levels were lower, whereas Al (14%) and As levels were higher in comparison to those in the control group. Correlation analysis demonstrated the most significant correlations for hair Mg with body weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and UA, and for hair Al with body weight, BMI, TC, glucose, TG, CE, GGT, and UA. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that trace elements were not associated with TC and LDL-C levels neither in crude nor in adjusted models. In turn, crude and adjusted models accounted for 25 and 43% of serum TG variance. The most significant associations were observed for hair Al, Fe, Si, and V in adjusted model. The obtained data demonstrate that obesity-related metabolic disorders may be at least partially mediated by altered trace element and mineral levels.     

Concentrations of Chromium,Selenium, and Copper in the Hair of Viscerally Obese Adults are Associated with Insulin Resistance

Visceral adiposity is linked to the development of insulin resistance, which is a condition that may contribute to metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease. Various minerals play essential roles in different metabolic functions in the body. Thus, the relationships between mineral concentrations in the hair and insulin resistance were analyzed in 144 Korean adults (71 viscerally obese subjects and 73 normal control subjects) in this cross-sectional study. Visceral obesity was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and insulin resistance levels were assessed using the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. The viscerally obese group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum glucose (96.5 vs 91.0 mg/dL, P?=?0.023), insulin concentration (4.78 vs 2.98 μIU/mL, P?=?0.003), and the HOMA-IR index (1.18 vs 0.64, P?=?0.003) compared with the normal control group. After adjusting for age and sex, there was a positive correlation between copper levels in the hair and the HOMA-IR index in the viscerally obese group (r?=?0.241, P?=?0.046) whereas chromium and selenium levels in the hair were negatively correlated with the HOMA-IR index (r?=??0.256, P?=?0.034, and r?=??0.251, P?=?0.038, respectively). Thus, chromium and selenium levels in the hair of viscerally obese adults were inversely associated with insulin resistance, whereas copper levels in the hair were positively associated with insulin resistance. This suggests that the mineral status of viscerally obese adults might play a role in the development of insulin resistance.     

Serum Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Blood Selenium in Pigs

Blood serum glutathione peroxidase activity and blood selenium concentration were measured in blood samples from pigs subjected to experimentally induced selenium deficiency and dietary selenium supplementation on graded levels. A highly significant correlation between blood selenium and serum GSH-Px activity in pigs, especially in selenium deficient pigs, was demonstrated. There was also a strong relationship between blood selenium concentration and serum GSH-Px activity in pigs receiving dietary selenium at graded levels. Serum GSH-Px activity exhibited an excellent close-response relationship to dietary selenium. Linear regression analysis showed that the increased serum GSH-Px activity was a function of the dietary selenium concentration. The fitness of serum in monitoring slight changes of the selenium status of pigs with help of the estimation of GSH-Px activity was discussed. The measurement of serum GSH-Px activity seems to provide a useful and rapid means for defining selenium requirements and for identifying selenium deficiency in growing pigs.     

The Association of Serum Leptin with Mortality in Older Adults

Objective

Elevated levels of serum leptin are associated with increased adiposity and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Both cytokines and body adiposity have been shown to predict cardiovascular events and mortality. The primary objective of the present study is to explore the associations between serum leptin and all-cause mortality and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) over a span of 10 years, controlling for body adiposity and proinflammatory cytokines.

Methods

The Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study is a prospective cohort of 3,075 older adults aged 70 to 79 years. This analysis includes 2,919 men and women with complete serum leptin and vital status data. Data on all-cause mortality and incident cardiovascular events (including Coronary Heart Disease and Congestive Heart Failure) were collected over 10 years of follow-up (mean 8.4 years).

Results

Women with leptin in quartile 2 and 3 were at lower risk of all-cause mortality, and those with leptin in quartile 2 were at lower risk of mortality from CVD as compared to women with lowest leptin values when adjusted for age, race, site, years of education, alcohol use, smoking, and physical activity. When these associations were additionally adjusted for body fat, C-reactive protein and pro-inflammatory cytokines, women with leptin values in quartile 3 were at lower risk of all-cause mortality and women with leptin in quartile 2 and 3 were at lower risk of mortality from CVD than women with lowest leptin values. These associations were not significant among men after adjusting for body fat and cytokines.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that moderately elevated concentrations of serum leptin are independently associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and CVD-related mortality among older women. Among men, serum leptin is not associated with reduced risk of all-cause and CVD mortality after controlling for body fat and cytokines.     

Association of Serum Irisin with Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Chinese Adults

Irisin, a recently identified novel myokine, drives brown-fat-like conversion of white adipose tissues and has been proposed to mediate beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism. Circulating irisin was significantly reduced in type 2 diabetes patients; however, no evidence is available about its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and effects of adiposity and muscle mass on circulating irisin have been controversial. Cross-sectional data on socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical characteristics and serum irisin were collected for 1,115 community-living Chinese adults with central obesity. Associations of serum irisin with MetS (central obesity plus any two of the following four factors (raised blood pressure (BP), raised fasting plasma glucose (FPG), raised triglyceride (TG), and reduced HDL cholesterol) and each component of MetS were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Among the 1,115 obese Chinese adults with a mean age of 53.2(±7.2) years, serum irisin levels (log-transformed) were significantly reduced in subjects with MetS and raised FPG than their control groups (p = 0.034 and 0.041, respectively). After adjustment for potential confounders, serum irisin was significantly associated with reduced risks of MetS and raised FPG, with odds ratios (ORs) (95% CI) per standard deviation of log-transformed irisin of 0.796 (0.505–0.959, p = 0.027) and 0.873 (0.764–0.998, p = 0.046), respectively. Associations of irisin with raised BP, raised TG and reduced HDL were not statistically significant ((ORs) (95% CI): 0.733(0.454–1.182, p = 0.202), 0.954(0.838–1.086, p = 0.478) and 1.130(0.980–1.302, p = 0.092), respectively). Stepwise multivariable linear regression analysis showed that fasting insulin, HbA1c and albumin/globulin ratio were negatively associated with serum irisin level with statistical significance (all p-values <0.05) and waist circumference was negatively associated with serum risin with marginally statistical significance (p = 0.055). These results imply that irisin may play an important role in insulin resistance and MetS and should be confirmed in future prospective studies.     

Association between Physical Activity Knowledge and Levels of Physical Activity in Chinese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) is an important treatment regimen for diabetes. The purposes of this study were to evaluate people’s knowledge of how exercise influences wellbeing (termed “PA knowledge” or “knowledge of PA” in this paper) and the resulting association with levels of PA in Chinese adults with Type 2 diabetes, and to identify the valuable demographic and lifestyle factors that possibly influence the association between PA knowledge and level of PA.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty-eight adults with Type 2 diabetes completed an interviewer-administered survey at a diabetes clinic in Hong Kong. Data on demographics, lifestyle factors and diabetes-related medical indicators were obtained. A 20-item questionnaire was developed to measure PA-related knowledge (one point scored for each correct answer; aggregate score up to 20 points). level of PA was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.ResultsThe proportions of correct answers to each question ranged from 19.4 to 90.7%. Compared with poorly educated participants, those with university education level and above had PA knowledge scores 1.7 points higher (14.3 vs. 12.6, P<0.05). Younger, female, and obese participants were more likely to have lower level of PA (all P<0.05). After adjustment for age, gender, (BMI) and education level, the odds of having a moderate-to-high level of PA was 19% greater with 1 unit increase in PA knowledge score [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–1.29; P<0.001], this association was strongest in participants with tertiary education level or above [odds ratio (OR): 1.35; 95% CI: 1.03–1.77; P<0.05].ConclusionsPA knowledge was positively associated with level of PA. Education level significantly influenced the association between PA knowledge and level of PA, leading to the suggestion of vulnerable groups to target for PA improvement in the face of diabetes.     

Distribution of Selenium in Bovine Milk and Selenium Deficiency in Rats Fed Casein-based Diets,Monitored by Lipid Peroxide Level and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity

A major proportion of selenium in bovine milk was found in fluorometric analysis to be associated with the casein fraction, largely in alkali-labile form, and the rest with the whey fraction mostly in free selenite form. This uneven distribution of milk selenium seems to provide an explanation for selenium deficiency in purified caseins. The activity of glutathione peroxidase, a selenoprotein, in the liver of growing male rats fed ad libitum low-selenium diets containing either vitamin-free casein or Torula yeast 0.065 ± 0.012 or 0.015 ± 0.004 μ g Se/g diet, respectively) for 3 weeks decreased to 4 to 6% of that of the control rats fed a commercial stock diet (0.185 ± 0.092 μ g Se/g diet). Selenium status was evaluated by three different parameters for the rats assigned under pair-feeding regimen to those vitamin-free casein-based diets which were supplemented with graded levels of selenium as sodium selenite. The hepatic levels of the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance, an indication of lipid peroxidation, decreased to control level with selenium supplementation per g diet of 0.1 μ g and over. The hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity reached a plateau above a 0.1 μ g/g diet of selenium supplementation, whereas the erythrocyte enzyme activity increased with increasing levels of supplementary selenium. These results support the notion that semi-purified diets containing vitamin-free casein as a prime protein source would not satisfy the selenium requirement of growing animals unless deliberately supplemented with additional selenium.     

Association of Psychosocial Conditions,Oral Health,and Dietary Variety with Intellectual Activity in Older Community-Dwelling Japanese Adults

Background

This study examined the factors related to intellectual activity in community-dwelling elderly persons.

Methods

Self-administered questionnaires mailed to all people aged ≥65 years in a dormitory suburb in Japan (n = 15,210). The response rate was 72.2%. Analytical subjects (n = 8,910) were those who lived independently and completely answered questions about independent and dependent variables and covariates. Independent variables included psychosocial conditions (i.e., social activities, hobbies, and a sense that life is worth living (ikigai)), oral health (i.e., dental health behaviors and oral function evaluated by chewing difficulties, swallowing difficulties, and oral dryness), and dietary variety measured using the dietary variety score (DVS). A dependent variable was intellectual activity measured using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence. Covariates included age, gender, family structure, pensions, body mass index, alcohol, smoking, medical history, self-rated health, medications, cognitive function, depression, and falling. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for poor intellectual activity.

Results

Poor intellectual activity was reported by 28.9% of the study population. After adjustment for covariates and independent variables, poor intellectual activity was significantly associated with nonparticipation in social activities (OR = 1.90, 95%CI = 1.61–2.24), having neither hobbies nor ikigai (3.13, 2.55–3.84), having neither regular dental visits nor daily brushing (1.70, 1.35–2.14), the poorest oral function (1.61, 1.31–1.98), and the lowest DVS quartile (1.96, 1.70–2.26).

Conclusion

These results indicate that psychosocial conditions, oral health, and dietary variety are independently associated with intellectual activity in elderly persons. The factors identified in this study may be used in community health programs for maintaining the intellectual activity ability of the elderly.     

Association of Simple Anthropometric Indices and Body Fat with Early Atherosclerosis and Lipid Profiles in Chinese Adults

Objective

The discriminatory capability of different adiposity indices for atherosclerosis and lipid abnormalities remains uncertain. This study aimed to identify the best adiposity index for predicting early atherosclerosis and abnormal lipid profiles among anthropometric parameters and body fat measures in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Method

A total of 2,063 women and 814 men (57.6±5.2 y) were recruited for this community-based cross-sectional study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were assessed. Body fat mass and its percentage values for the whole body and trunk were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The intima-media thicknesses (IMTs) of the common carotid arteries (CCA), internal carotid arteries (ICA) and bifurcation (BIF) were determined via B-mode ultrasound. The fasting lipid profiles were assessed.

Results

With per SD increase of adiposity indices, the magnitude of the changes of IMT values and lipid profiles was more substantial for WC, WHR and WHtR in both genders. A multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that WC, WHR and WHtR were more sensitive in predicting the presence of intima-media thickening at the three segments as well as the lipids disturbances in women and men. In general, BIA-derived measures have no added predictive value for IMT-thickening as opposed to those three traditional abdominal measures.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that abdominal anthropometric measures including WC, WHR and WHtR are sensitive for discriminating carotid atherosclerosis and lipids abnormalities. WC is the best index because of its simplicity in routine use.     

Level of Trace Elements (Copper,Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium) and Toxic Elements (Lead and Mercury) in the Hair and Nail of Children with Autism

Autism is a multi-factorial pathology observed in children with altered levels of essential and elevated levels of toxic elements. There are also studies reporting a decrease in nutritional trace elements in the hair and nail of autistic children with healthy controls; moreover, bioelements have been shown to play an important role in the central nervous system. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess the levels of trace elements like copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and selenium (Se) and toxic elements like mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in the hair and nail samples of autistic children and to evaluate whether the level of these elements could be correlated with the severity of autism. The subjects of the study were 45 autistic children with different grades of severity (low (LFA), medium (MFA), and high (HFA) functioning autism) according to Childhood Autism Rating Scale, n = 15 children in each group and 50 healthy children (age and sex matched). The boys and girls ratio involved in this study was 4:1, and they were 4-12 years of age. The study observed a valid indication of Cu body burden in the autistic children. The children with different grades of autism showed high significance (p < 0.001) in the level of copper in their hair and nail samples when compared to healthy controls. The level of Cu in the autistic children could be correlated with their degree of severity (more the Cu burden severe is autism). The study showed a significant elevation (p < 0.001) in the levels of toxic metals Pb and Hg in both hair and nail samples of autistic children when compared to healthy control group. The elevation was much pronounced in LFA group subjects when compared among autistic groups MFA and HFA. The levels of trace elements Mg and Se were significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in autistic children when compared to control. The trace element Zn showed significant variation in both hair and nails of LFA group children when compared to control group and other study groups. The significant elevation in the concentration of Cu, Pb, and Hg and significant decrease in the concentration of Mg and Se observed in the hair and nail samples of autistic subjects could be well correlated with their degrees of severity.     

Dietary Weight Loss Decreases Serum Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity in Obese Adults

Objective: To study the effect of dietary weight loss, postural change, and an oral glucose load on serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in obese adults. Research Methods and Procedures: Sixteen obese adult men and women with a mean body mass index of 35.7 ± 4.3 kg/m² were studied after 1 week on a maintenance energy lead-in diet and after 5 weeks on an identical but 40% reduced-energy diet provided by the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). ACE activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: All subjects lost weight, with a mean decrease in body weight of 7.0 ± 2.1 kg or 6 ± 3% of initial body weight (p < 0.00001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, supine plasma renin activity, and serum aldosterone levels decreased with weight loss (p < 0.05). Supine ACE activity decreased 23 ± 12% with weight loss (p < 0.00001). Standing ACE activity, which was significantly higher than supine ACE activity before and after weight loss (p < 0.05), also decreased 18 ± 17% with weight loss (p = 0.0007). A 75-g oral glucose load had no effect on serum ACE activity over a 3-hour period. Discussion: In obese adults, serum ACE activity declines with modest weight loss, increases with postural change, and is unaffected by an oral glucose load.     

Monoamine Oxidase and Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase Activity in Tetrahymena*

SYNOPSIS Tetrahymena pyriformis strain HSM was found to have monoamine oxidase (MAO) and a catechol-O-methyl transferase-like (COMT) activity. As in mammalian tissues, the MAO activity is predominantly localized in the mitochondrial pellet and COMT in the cytosol. The COMT-like activity was present in amounts comparable to several mouse tissues and was inhibited by tropolone. MAO activity was much lower than in any of the mouse tissues tested, and its activity varied greatly from preparation to preparation. The substrate preference of Tetrahymena MAO was tryptamine > serotonin > dopamine, and activity increased with increasing pH from pH 6.5 to pH 7.8, as does that of mouse liver MAO. The K_m of Tetrahymena MAO for tryptamine was 4 μM, an order of magnitude lower than that of mouse liver MAO. Sensitivity to inhibition by MAO inhibitors was variable. In some preparations, no inhibition was observed. In others clear inhibition was obtained, harmine and clorgyline being among the most potent inhibitors.     

Serum Total Selenium Status in Greek Adults and Its Relation to Age. The ATTICA Study Cohort

The trace element selenium is an essential micronutrient for human health and its low levels in serum are implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases. Therefore, the determination of total selenium in serum may contribute to the assessment of the health and nutritional status of certain populations. The objective of the present work was to determine total selenium in the serum of 506 healthy volunteers that participated in the ATTICA study. Selenium was determined in serum by using the technique of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The mean serum selenium concentration was determined to be 91.8 ± 33.7 μg/L (N = 506); 87.6% of women and 88.5% of men had serum selenium concentration below 125 μg/L, the cutoff considered to be required for optimal glutathione peroxidase activity. No association was found between serum selenium levels and the gender of the participants while a significant decline of selenium with age (p < 0.0001) was observed. According to our results, no anthropometric, lifestyle, nutritional, or biochemical indices were able to affect the association between serum selenium and age. This result may indicate that other factors such as selenium distribution as well as retention may be affecting the relationship between serum selenium and age.     

Selenium and Mercury in Native and Introduced Fish Species of Patagonian Lakes,Argentina

A survey of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) contents was performed in fish collected from lakes located in two National Parks of the northern patagonian Andean range. Two native species, catfish (Diplomystes viedmensis) and creole perch (Percichthys trucha), and three introduced species, brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), were caught from lakes Nahuel Huapi, Moreno, Traful, Espejo Chico, and Guillelmo belonging to Nahuel Huapi National Park and from lakes Futalaufquen and Rivadavia, Los Alerces National Park. In lake Moreno, fish diet items were analyzed and rainbow trout grown in a farm. Hg and Se were measured in muscle and liver tissues by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The average concentrations in muscle of Hg for all species, ages, and lakes are between 0.4 to 1.0 μg g⁻¹ dry weight (DW) with a few fish, mainly native, exceeding the United States Environmental Protection Agency health advisory for freshwater fish limited consumption, and from 0.8 to 1.5 μg g⁻¹ DW for Se. Average concentrations in liver of Hg in all species range from 0.4 to 0.9 μg g⁻¹ DW. Brown trout, the top predator in these lakes, showed the lowest average Hg burden in both tissues. Se concentrations in the liver of brown and rainbow trout, up to 279 μg g⁻¹ DW, are higher than those expected for nearly pristine lakes, exceeding 20 μg g⁻¹ DW, the threshold concentration associated with Se toxicity. These species show lower Hg contents in muscle, suggesting a possible detoxification of Hg by a Se-rich diet. Creole perch and velvet catfish livers have lower Se concentrations, with a narrower span of values (2.3 to 8.5 μg g⁻¹ and 3.3 to 5.5 μg g⁻¹ DW respectively).     

Plasma Selenium, Zinc, Copper and Lipid Levels in Postmenopausal Turkish Women and Their Relation with Osteoporosis

It has been shown that the trace elements and lipids play role in the growth, development and maintenance of bones. We aimed to investigate serum selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and lipid (total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) levels in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, osteopenia and in healthy controls, and to determine the relationship between Se, Zn, Cu and lipid parameters and bone mineral density (BMD). The study included 107 postmenopausal women; 35 healthy (group 1), 37 osteopenic (group 2) and 35 osteoporotic (group 3). The women in all three groups were carefully matched for body mass index (BMI). Serum concentrations of Se, Zn and Cu were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma Se, Cu, Zn and lipid levels were similar in all groups (p?>?0.05). When we combined the women in each of the three groups, and considered them as one group (n?=?107) we found a positive correlation between BMI and lumbar vertebra BMD, femur neck BMD, femur total BMD; a positive correlation between TG and femur neck BMD, femur total BMD; a positive correlation between Zn and lumbar vertebra BMD (total T score) (p??0.05). Although BMI has a positive effect on BMD, trace elements and lipids, except Zn and TG, did not directly and correlatively influence BMD. Further studies are needed to clarify the role and relationship of trace elements and lipid parameters in postmenopausal osteoporosis.     

Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Erythrocyte Lipid Peroxidation as Indices of Selenium and Vitamin E Status in Young Pigs

A randomized, blocked 23 factorial experiment was conducted with 48 pigs from sows fed a diet low in selenium and vitamin E. From 3 to 12 weeks of age the piglets were kept in single pens and fed a basic diet consisting mostly of barley, dried skim milk, soybean meal and dried yeast, and containing 55 µg selenium and 3 mg vitamin E per kg. The treatment factors — i.e. feed supplements — were 2 levels of Se (nil, 60 µg/kg), 2 levels of vitamin E (nil, 50 mg/kg), and 2 levels of the feed antioxidant ethoxyquin (nil, 150 mg/kg). Blood samples, collected at termination of the experiment, were examined for glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) and resistance against erythrocyte lipid peroxidation (ELP) to evaluate Se and vitamin E status, respectively. Analysis of variance showed the GSH-Px activity to be litter-dependent (P < 0.001) and influenced by selenium supplementation (P < 0.001) but not by the other supplements or by interactions between supplements. Resistance against ELP was influenced only by vitamin E supplementation (P < 0.001). GSH-Px and ELP thus seem to be valuable and simple methods for evaluating, respectively, Se status and vitamin E status in growing pigs.