Effect of selenium supplementation on plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol levels in adult rats

ABSTRACT

Selenium is an antioxidant nutrient that prevents lipid peroxidation. The objective of the study was to investigate long-term effects of selenium supplementation on plasma lipid profile in rats. To investigate the effect of this micronutrient on plasma lipid levels, adult rats supplemented with selenium [20 micro g/Kg body weight] for 16 weeks were studied. Plasma selenium levels were found to be 167.9 +/- 4.8 micro g/1 and 193.9 +/- 3.8 micro.g/1 in control and selenium treated rats, respectively. Selenium supplementation significantly lowered the concentrations of plasma triglycerides by 21% and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-cho] by 42%. Also, the ratio of LDL-cho to either high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-cho] or to total-cho was significantly lowered. On the other hand, selenium did not influence HDL-cho and total-cho concentrations although their relative ratio to each other was significantly increased [p<0.001]. Plasma selenium levels in the examined rats were negatively correlated with plasma triglycerides [r = -0.3479] and LDL-cho [r = -0.3177] concentrations. Therefore, the food supplementation with selenium might be beneficial in improving lipid profile, the major risk factor for coronary heart disease [CHD]