Effect of selenium supplementation on the influence of cadmium on glutathione and glutathione peroxidase system in mouse liver

In the present study, cadmium (Cd) administration (8 mg of Cd/kg bw, daily, orally for 8 weeks) in mice resulted in a significant accumulation of Cd in the liver. However, when sclenium (Se; 0.35 mg of Se as sodium selenite/kg bw, daily, orally for 8 weeks) was administered concurrently, a reduction (approximately 18%) in the Cd concentration was seen in the liver. A significant inhibition in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver was seen in the Cd-treated group, which improved significantly (P < 0.05) during coadministration of Se. A significant increase in the reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in the liver was seen after Cd treatment. Following the combined administration of Cd and Se, the values were close to the control. The increase in the glutathione after Cd administration is attributed to stressful conditions and also to its lower utilization due to inhibition of glutathione peroxidase. No alterations were seen in the oxidized glutathione (GSSG), the ratio of GSH/GSSG, or in the glutathione reductase, both during Cd and Cd + Se administration in liver. These results clearly indicate that the concomitant treatment of Se significantly decreased the Cd accumulation in liver and simultaneously protected the antioxidant enzyme, i.c., GSH-Px from the influence of Cd. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 13:299-304, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.