Effects of selenium on activities of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression in rat's livers

  Objective   To explore the effects of selenium(Se)supplementation on the activities of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression in rat's livers.

  Methods   Different levels of selenium were given to the rats and the changes of some parameters were observed in rat's livers which included the contents of Se and malondialdehyde(MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), thioredoxin reductase(TR)and TR mRNA expression.

  Results   20μg/kg Se supplementation could decreased MDA content and upregulated the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px significantly in rat's livers, whereas 40, 80μg/kg Se supplementation increased MDA content and decreased the activities of CAT, GSH-Px, TR and TR mRNA level.Se levels were elevated dose-dependently.

  Conclusion   Appropriate dosage of selenium showed good effects on antioxidant function and Se overexposure can result in chronic Se intoxication.