title: Selenium and zinc protect brain mitochondrial antioxidants and electron transport chain enzymes following postnatal protein malnutrition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) are trace elements required for optimal brain functions. Thus, the role of Se and Zn against protein malnutrition induced oxidative stress on mitochondrial antioxidants and electron transport chain (ETC) enzymes from rats' brain were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal protein (NP) and low protein (LP) rats were fed with diets containing 16% and 5% casein respectively for a period of 10weeks. Then the rats were supplemented with Se and Zn at a concentration of 0.15mgL(-1) and 227mgL(-1) in drinking water for 3weeks after which the rats were sacrificed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results obtained from the study showed significant (p<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO), ROS production, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels and mitochondrial swelling and significant (p<0.05) reductions in catalase (CAT) and Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activities, glutathione (GSH) levels, GSH/GSSG ratio and MTT reduction as a result of LP ingestion. The activities of mitochondrial ETC enzymes were also significantly inhibited in both the cortex and cerebellum of LP-fed rats. Supplementation with either Se or Zn restored the alterations in all the parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that Se and Zn might be beneficial in protecting mitochondrial antioxidants and ETC enzymes against protein malnutrition induced oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Science Building, Panjab University, Sector 25, 160014, Chandigarh, India; Department of Chemical Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Redeemer's University, P.M.B. 230, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2005, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olusegun L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Adebayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2005, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Gbenga A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Adenuga
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Science Building, Panjab University, Sector 25, 160014, Chandigarh, India. Electronic address: sandhir@pu.ac.in.
authors.forename: Rajat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sandhir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004579:Electron Transport / Q000187:drug effects*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects*; D008933:Mitochondrial Swelling / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D020011:Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Cerebellum; Cortex; Glutathione; Low protein; Mitochondrial enzyme complex; Oxidative stress