High-selenium lentil diet protects against arsenic-induced atherosclerosis in a mouse model.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death worldwide, and arsenic (As) intake, mainly through drinking water, is a well-known risk factor for CVD as well as other health problems. Selenium (Se) is a known antagonist to As toxicity.


OBJECTIVE
We tested the potential of high-Se lentils from the Canadian prairies as a therapeutic food to alter the outcome of As-enhanced atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Male ApoE(-/-) mice exposed to a moderate level of As (200ppb) in their drinking water, and control mice on tap water received one of three lentil diets: Se-deficient (0.009mg/kg), Se-adequate (0.16mg/kg) or Se-high (0.3mg/kg). After 13weeks, lesion formation in the aortic arch and sinus were assessed. Intralesional cellular composition, serum lipid levels and hepatic oxidative stress were assessed as well.


RESULTS
Arsenic-exacerbated plaque formation was reduced in the sinus and completely abolished in the aortic arch of mice on the Se-fortified lentil diet, whereas lesions were increased in As-exposed mice on both the Se-deficient and Se-adequate diets. Notably, Se deficiency contributed to proatherogenic composition of serum lipids in As-exposed mice as indicated by high-density lipoprotein:low-density lipoprotein. At least adequate Se status was crucial for counteracting As-induced oxidative stress.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to show the potential of high-Se lentils to protect against As-triggered atherosclerosis, and this invites further investigations in human populations at risk from As contamination of their drinking water.
Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, T2N 4Z6, Canada. Electronic address: regina.mkrohn@gmail.com.
Regina M
RM
Krohn
Department of Oncology, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montréal, H3T 1E2, Canada.
Maryse
M
Lemaire
Experimental Medicine, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montréal, H3T 1E2, Canada.
Luis F
LF
Negro Silva
Department of Medicine, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montréal, H3T 1E2, Canada.
Catherine
C
Lemarié
Department of Oncology, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montréal, H3T 1E2, Canada.
Alicia
A
Bolt
Department of Oncology, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montréal, H3T 1E2, Canada.
Koren K
KK
Mann
Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
Judit E
JE
Smits
D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D001151:Arsenic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D027806:Lens Plant; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008055:Lipids; D012643:Selenium; D001151:Arsenic
Arsenic toxicity; Atherosclerosis; Biofortification; Lentils; Oxidative stress; Selenium