Effect of selenium supplementation on mice infected with LP-BM5 MuLV, a murine AIDS model

LP-BM5 Murine leukemia virus (MuLV) infection of C57BL/6 mice develop a disease that has many features in common with human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in particular abnormal lymphoproliferation and severe immunodeficiency. Thus, this MAIDS model may be useful for evaluation of potent antirival agents in vivo. Deficiency in antioxidant micronutients such as selenium, zinc, and glutathione have been observed in AIDs and AIDS-related complex (ARC) patients. In the present study, the MAIDS model was used to evaluate immunological and oxidative effect of Se as sodium selenite. Results indicated that Se treatment 0.1 mg/kg/d (p.o.) inhibited splenomegaly and sera IgG elevation effectively. In addition to abnormal immunity, oxidative imbalance possibly existed in MAIDS model, as lipid peroxide increased significantly in spleen and whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity decreased markedly. Se supplementation had good protective effect.