title: Sparing effects of selenium and ascorbic acid on vitamin C and E in guinea pig tissues.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selenium (Se), vitamin C and vitamin E function as antioxidants within the body. In this study, we investigated the effects of reduced dietary Se and L-ascorbic acid (AA) on vitamin C and alpha-tocopherol (AT) status in guinea pig tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Hartley guinea pigs were orally dosed with a marginal amount of AA and fed a diet deficient (Se-D/MC), marginal (Se-M/MC) or normal (Se-N/MC) in Se. An additional diet group (Se-N/NC) was fed normal Se and dosed with a normal amount of AA. Guinea pigs were killed after 5 or 12 weeks on the experimental diets at 24 and 48 hours post AA dosing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Liver Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased (P < 0.05) in guinea pigs fed Se or AA restricted diets. Plasma total glutathione concentrations were unaffected (P > 0.05) by reduction in dietary Se or AA. All tissues examined showed a decrease (P < 0.05) in AA content in Se-N/MC compared to Se-N/NC guinea pigs. Kidney, testis, muscle and spleen showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.05) in AA content with decreasing Se in the diet. Dehydroascorbic acid concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) in several tissues with reduction in dietary Se (heart and spleen) or AA (liver, heart, kidney, muscle and spleen). At week 12, combined dietary restriction of Se and AA decreased AT concentrations in most tissues. In addition, restriction of Se (liver, heart and spleen) and AA (liver, kidney and spleen) separately also reduced AT in tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Together, these data demonstrate sparing effects of Se and AA on vitamin C and AT in guinea pig tissues.
authors: Nutrition Research Division, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Sir Frederick G, Banting Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada. jesse_bertinato@hc-sc.gc.ca
authors: Jesse
authors: J
authors: Bertinato
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Hidiroglou
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Peace
authors: Kevin A
authors: KA
authors: Cockell
authors: Keith D
authors: KD
authors: Trick
authors: Penny
authors: P
authors: Jee
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Giroux
authors: Réné
authors: R
authors: Madère
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Bonacci
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Iskandar
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Hayward
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Giles
authors: Mary R
authors: MR
authors: L'Abbé
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005978:Glutathione; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid