title: Effects of copper deficiency on the activity of the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase and on excretion and tissue retention of 75SeO3(2-).
abstract: Liver and lung activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in control and copper-deficient rats. Decreased activity of SOD was found in liver and decreased activity of the selenoenzyme GSH-Px was found in liver and lung in the copper-deficient animals. The decreased liver activity of GSH-Px could be partially corrected by daily supplementation of the basal diet with sodium selenite. Urinary, fecal and biliary excretion of 75SeO3(2-) were determined in controls and copper-deficient rats in order to assess selenium losses. Urinary excretion of 75Se was not different in the two groups. Fecal loss of 75Se was increased in the copper-deficient animals when compared to controls and biliary excretion was decreased. Tissue retention of 75Se was also determined in both groups. Retention of 75Se in the copper-deficient rats was increased in brain and lung and decreased in liver. This pattern of tissue retention of 75Se is similar to that which occurs in selenium-deficient rats. Copper deficiency in rats results in decreased liver activity of both the copper-containing enzyme SOD and the selenoenzyme GSH-Px. The mechanism of decreased GSH-Px activity is unknown.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000172:deficiency*; D005243:Feces; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008168:Lung / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D064588:Selenium Oxides; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018036:Selenium Compounds; D064588:Selenium Oxides; D003300:Copper; D010544:Peroxidases; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D012643:Selenium