Effect of selenium and vitamin E on the development of experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits.
Male mongrel rabbits, divided into 5 groups (1) controls, (2) animals receiving a high-fat diet (HFD) containing cholesterol and coconut oil, (3) HFD + selenium, (4) HFD + vitamin E, (5) HFD + selenium + vitamin E, were treated for 12 weeks. In the groups receiving selenium and/or vitamin E, the elevation of serum total lipids, beta-lipoproteins, total cholesterol and triglyceride was markedly suppressed. HDL cholesterol in these groups of animals was increased. The cytochrome P-450 content in liver microsomes was increased, and the concentration of malondialdehyde in the blood plasma of rabbits was significantly decreased, while thyroid hormones (T4, T3), cortisol and insulin level were increased. Surface area of the lipid deposits at 12 weeks measured planimetrically averaged 76% in HFD-fed animals but only 28% in selenium + vitamin E treated rabbits. The important finding of this study is that combination of selenium and vitamin E, results in an intensified effect on the improvement of metabolic processes and on the reduction of atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Wójcicki
J
J
Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Szczecin, Poland.
Rózewicka
L
L
Barcew-Wiszniewska
B
B
Samochowiec
L
L
Juźwiak
S
S
Kadłubowska
D
D
Tustanowski
S
S
Juzyszyn
Z
Z
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000074263:Coconut Oil; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D009929:Organ Size; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D010938:Plant Oils; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D012643:Selenium; D000074263:Coconut Oil; D006854:Hydrocortisone