Effects of selenium on altered mechanical and electrical cardiac activities of diabetic rat

Since selenium compounds can restore some metabolic parameters and structural alterations of diabetic rat heart, we were tempted to investigate whether these beneficial effects extend to the diabetic rat cardiac dysfunctions. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (50mg/kg body weight) and rats were then treated with sodium selenite (5 micromol/kg body weight/day) for four weeks. Electrically stimulated isometric contraction and intracellular action potential in isolated papillary muscle strips and transient (I(to)) and steady state (I(ss)) outward K(+) currents in isolated cardiomyocytes were recorded. Sodium selenite treatment could reverse the prolongation in both action potential duration and twitch duration of the diabetic rats, and also cause significant increases in the diminished amplitudes of the two K(+) currents. Treatment of rats with sodium selenite also markedly increased the depressed acid-soluble sulfhydryl levels of the hearts. Our data suggest that the beneficial effects of sodium selenite treatment on the mechanical and electrical activities of the diabetic rat heart appear to be due to the restoration of the diminished K(+) currents, partially, related to the restoration of the cell glutathione redox cycle.     

Effect of Salinity on the Tolerance to Toxic Metals and Oxyanions in Native Moderately Halophilic Spore-forming Bacilli

Summary Ten moderately halophilic spore-forming bacilli were isolated from saline soils in Iran and their intrinsic high-level resistance to chromate, arsenate, tellurite, selenite, selenate and biselenite was identified by an agar dilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each oxyanion was determined. All isolates were resistant to higher concentrations of arsenate. The resistance level of the isolates to selenooxyanions was between 10 and 40 mM. Maximum and minimum tolerance against oxyanions was seen in selenite and biselenite, respectively. Although toxic metal resistance in the isolates was not different from non-halophilic bacteria that has been reported, unusual resistance to arsenate (250 mM), sodium chromate (75 mM) and potassium chromate (70 mM) was observed. The results obtained in this study revealed that all isolates were obviously susceptible to silver, nickel, zinc and cobalt, while seven isolates were resistant to lead. Susceptibility to copper and cadmium varied among the isolates. Silver had the maximum toxicity, whereas lead and copper showed minimum toxicity. The impact of salinity on the toxicity of oxyanions was also studied. Our results showed that in general an increase in salinity from 5% (w/v) to 15% (w/v) enhanced tolerance to toxic oxyanions.     

Protective effects of sodium selenite on killing and mutation by N-methyl-N''-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in E. coli.

Sodium selenite was found to protect Escherichia coli cells against killing and mutagenic effects of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Such protective effects were not observed when cells were treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). The protection by sodium selenite was not controlled by the ada gene, which is responsible for the repair of alkylated damage in DNA. A reduction of the amount of glutathione was found when cells were treated with sodium selenite, and glutathione is known to be involved in the methylation of DNA by MNNG, not by MNU. Reduced methylation by MNNG due to the reduction of the amount of glutathione caused by abundant sodium selenite was suggested to be the mechanism of protection.     

Some factors influencing the uptake and distribution of selenite in the bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Three hours after the absorption of selenite by the roots ofPhaseolus vulgaris a major part of the Se accumulates in the roots while the fraction conveyed towards the aerial organs is unevenly distributed. Uptake and distribution are enhanced when plants are kept in darkness or when the nutritive solution is supplied with glucose, suggesting an active transport of selenite. However, when roots are soaked in a low temperature solution or supplied with metabolic inhibitors, the level of Se decreased by about 35% in the roots and in the aerial organs. So, part of the selenite enters the roots by diffusion, while another part is metabolically linked. Sugar translocated from the leaves is implicated as a co-transport-substance for selenite. Antibiotics, such as gramicidin, synthetised by micro-organisms, can also increase the level of Se within the bean plant.     

Effect of Sodium Selenite and Vitamin E on the Renal Cortex in Rats: An Ultrastructure Study

This study examined the use of vitamin E to alleviate toxic effects of sodium selenite. Adult male albino rats (n = 50) was divided into five groups. Group 1 was control, Groups 2 and 4 were treated with sodium selenite (2 mg/kg) for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, Groups 3 and 5 were treated with sodium selenite (2 mg/kg) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg) for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Renal tissues were studied using anti-BCL2 and examined ultrastructurally. Positive Bax immunoreactivity was detected after 2 and more positive after 4 weeks and nearly all groups improved with co-administration of vitamin E. Ultrastructural study revealed lesions in Bowman's capsule and proximal convoluted tubules. The submicroscopic study revealed damage and necrosis of cortical structures after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. After 4 weeks, cellular changes were seen, such as vacuolation and moderate degeneration of cells, widening of the urinary space scattered through the cortex with loss of cellular details, formation of apical buds, degeneration, and cellular rupture. Present findings disclosed an ameliorative effect of adding vitamin E to sodium selenite-induced changes in cortical tissues. Clinically, it is advised to add vitamin E to avoid selenium overdose hazards.     

Mercury's neurotoxicity is characterized by its disruption of selenium biochemistry

Background

Methylmercury (CH₃Hg⁺) toxicity is characterized by challenging conundrums: 1) “selenium (Se)-protective” effects, 2) undefined biochemical mechanism/s of toxicity, 3) brain-specific oxidative damage, 4) fetal vulnerability, and 5) its latency effect. The “protective effects of Se” against CH₃Hg⁺ toxicity were first recognized >50?years ago, but awareness of Se's vital functions in the brain has transformed understanding of CH₃Hg⁺ biochemical mechanisms. Mercury's affinity for Se is ~1 million times greater than its affinity for sulfur, revealing it as the primary target of CH₃Hg⁺ toxicity.

Selenium salts and chromosome damage

Sodium selenite and sodium selenate, fed by gavaging to age-matched male Swiss albino mice and observed after 24 h following a colchicine-fixative-air drying-Giemsa schedule, were found to induce chromosome breaks and spindle disturbances in bone marrow cells. The four concentrations used were fractions of LD₅₀ and the effects were directly proportionate to the concentration of the chemical. Sodium selenite induced a slightly higher frequency of chromosomal aberrations than sodium selenate.     

Light-dependent incorporation of selenite and sulphite into selenocysteine and cysteine by isolated pea chloroplasts

Illuminated intact pea chloroplasts in the presence of O-acetylserine (OAS) catalysed incorporation of SeO₃^2- and SO₃^2- into selenocysteine and cysteine at rates of ca 0.36 and 6 μmol/mg Chl per hr respectively. Sonicated chloroplasts catalysed SeO₃^2- and SO₃^2- incorporation at ca 3.9 and 32% respectively of the rates of intact chloroplasts. Addition of GSH and NADPH increased the rates to ca 91 and 98% of the intact rates, but SeO₃^2- incorporation under these conditions was essentially light-independent. In the absence of OAS, intact chloroplasts catalysed reduction of SO₃^2- to S^2- at rates of ca 5.8 μmol/mg Chl per hr. In the presence of OAS, S^2- did not accumulate. Glutathione (GSH) reductase was purified from peas and was inhibited by ZnCl₂. This enzyme, in the presence of purified clover cysteine synthase, OAS, GSH and NADPH, catalysed incorporation of SeO₃^2- into selenocysteine (but not SO₃^2- into cysteine). The reaction was inhibited by ZnCl₂. Incorporation of SeO₃^2- into selenocysteine by illuminated intact chloroplasts and sonicated chloroplasts (with NADPH and GSH) was also inhibited by ZnCl₂ but not by KCN. Conversely, incorporation of SO₃^2- into cysteine was inhibited by KCN but not by ZnCl₂. It was concluded that SeO₃^2- and SO₃^2- are reduced in chloroplasts by independent light-requiring mechanisms. It is proposed that SeO₃^2- is reduced by light-coupled GSH reductase and that the Se^2- produced is incorporated into selenocysteine by cysteine synthase.     

Diminazene aceturate associated with sodium selenite and vitamin E in the treatment of Trypanosoma evansi infection in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utilization of a standard treatment with diminazene aceturate against the infection caused by Trypanosoma evansi, associated to sodium selenite and vitamin E. In vitro tests showed trypanocidal effect related to the treatment with diminazene aceturate and sodium selenite, but vitamin E had no harmful effect on the trypanosomes. In vivo experiments utilized a total of 72 adult outbreed females rats, separated into 9 groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I), 8 animals each. Group A was the uninfected group; groups B to I were infected with 0.2 mL of blood containing 10⁶ trypanosomes. Parasitemia was estimated daily by microscopic examination of blood smears. Group B served as positive control; group C was treated with diminazene aceturate; group D with sodium selenite; group E with vitamin E; group F received an association of diminazene aceturate and sodium selenite; group G received an association of diminazene aceturate and vitamin E; group H received an association of diminazene aceturate, sodium selenite and vitamin E, and group I received an association of sodium selenite and vitamin E. Diminazene aceturate was administrated in a single dose on the 3rd day post infection (PI). Sodium selenite and vitamin E were administered at the 3rd and 23rd day PI. In vivo tests showed increase of longevity in groups treated with diminazene aceturate associated with sodium selenite (groups F and H). No difference was found between groups C and E, thus the vitamin E did not increase the efficacy of treatment against T. evansi when associated to diminazene aceturate. The curative efficacy of treatments was 37.5, 87.7, 37.7 and 75% to the groups C, F, G and H, respectively. Other treatments showed no efficacy. The sodium selenite when combined with chemotherapy may represent an alternative in the treatment of trypanosomosis.     

The LEF1/CYLD axis and cIAPs regulate RIP1 deubiquitination and trigger apoptosis in selenite-treated colorectal cancer cells

Inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein (IAP) inhibitors have been reported to synergistically reduce cell viability in combination with a variety of chemotherapeutic drugs via targeted cellular IAP (cIAP) depletion. Here, we found that cIAP silencing sensitised colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to selenite-induced apoptosis. Upon selenite treatment, the K63-linked ubiquitin chains on receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) were removed, leading to the formation of the death-inducing complex and subsequent caspase-8 activation. Although the ubiquitinases cIAP1 and cIAP2 were significantly downregulated after a 24-h selenite treatment, cylindromatosis (CYLD) deubiquitinase protein levels were marginally upregulated. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that lymphoid enhancer factor-1 (LEF1) dissociated from the CYLD promoter upon selenite treatment, thus abolishing suppression of CYLD gene expression. We corroborated these findings in a CRC xenograft animal model using immunohistochemistry. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that selenite caused CYLD upregulation via LEF1 and cIAP downregulation, both of which contribute to the degradation of ubiquitin chains on RIP1 and subsequent caspase-8 activation and apoptosis. Importantly, our results identify a LEF1-binding site in the CYLD promoter as a potential target for combinational therapy as an alternative to cIAPs.