Influence of dietary selenium and vitamin E on the levels of fatty acids in brain and liver tissues of lambs

Preliminary Study on the Restoration of the Phospholipid Profile in Serum from Patients with COVID-19 by Treatment with Vitamin E

SARS-CoV-2 is an obligatory intracellular pathogen that requires a lipid bilayer membrane for its transport to build its nucleocapsid envelope and fuse with the host cell. The biological membranes are constituted by phospholipids (PLs), and vitamin E (Vit E) protects them from oxidative stress (OS). The aim of this study was to demonstrate if treatment with Vit E restores the modified profile of the FA in PLs in serum from patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We evaluated Vit E, total fatty acids (TFAs), fatty acids of the phospholipids (FAPLs), total phospholipids (TPLs), 8-isoprostane, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostaglandins (PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum from 22 COVID-19 patients before and after treatment with Vit E and compared the values with those from 23 healthy subjects (HSs). COVID-19 patients showed a decrease in Vit E, TPLs, FAPLs, and TFAs in serum in comparison to HSs (p ≤ 0.01), and Vit E treatment restored their levels (p ≤ 0.04). Likewise, there was an increase in IL-6 and CRP in COVID-19 patients in comparison with HSs (p ≤ 0.001), and treatment with Vit E decreased their levels (p ≤ 0.001). Treatment with Vit E as monotherapy can contribute to restoring the modified FA profile of the PLs in the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and this leads to a decrease in lipid peroxidation, OS, and the inflammatory process.

Effects of aluminum and extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation on oxidative stress and memory in brain of mice

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of aluminum and extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) on oxidative stress and memory of SPF Kunming mice. Sixty male SPF Kunming mice were divided randomly into four groups: control group, ELF-MF group (2 mT, 4 h/day), load aluminum group (200 mg aluminum/kg, 0.1 ml/10 g), and ELF-MF + aluminum group (2 mT, 4 h/day, 200 mg aluminum/kg). After 8 weeks of treatment, the mice of three experiment groups (ELF-MF group, load aluminum group, and ELF-MF + aluminum group) exhibited firstly the learning memory impairment, appearing that the escaping latency to the platform was prolonged and percentage in the platform quadrant was reduced in the Morris water maze (MWM) task. Secondly are the pathologic abnormalities including neuronal cell loss and overexpression of phosphorylated tau protein in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. On the other hand, the markers of oxidative stress were determined in mice brain and serum. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and increase in the levels of malondialdehyde in the ELF-MF group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), load aluminum group (P < 0.01), and ELF-MF + aluminum group (P < 0.01). However, the treatment with ELF-MF + aluminum induced no more damage than ELF-MF and aluminum did, respectively. In conclusion, both aluminum and ELF-MF could impact on learning memory and pro-oxidative function in Kunming mice. However, there was no evidence of any association between ELF-MF exposure with aluminum loading.

Supranutritional selenium level affects fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of chicken breast muscle tissue

A total of 128 broilers were used to investigate the effect of selenium (Se) on fatty acid (FA) composition and oxidative stability of lipids in the breast muscle tissue. There were 4 replicates of 4 dietary treatments: T1 (basal diet with no added Se), T2 (T1 with 0.15 mg Se added per kg diet), T3 (T1 with 0.3 mg Se added per kg diet) and T4 (T1 with 3.0 mg Se added per kg diet). A yeast source was used for added Se. Breast muscle tissue was collected from two chickens per replicate pen for the determination of Se concentration by ICP-MS, FA profile by GC and lipid oxidation using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method. Addition of supranutritional Se levels to chicken diets leads to the production of Se-enriched meat. Consumption of 100 g of breast meat from chickens fed diets supplemented with 0.15, 0.3 and 3 mg Se per kg of diet can provide 26, 41 and 220 μg of Se, respectively. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids namely C20:3n-6, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3, C22:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 increased linearly (p = 0.047, p < 0.001, p = 0.023, p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively) as the Se inclusion levels in the diets increased. At slaughter, a linear decrease in lipid oxidation (p = 0.019) was observed with Se addition, possibly attributed to the antioxidant properties of Se. Addition of supranutritional Se to chicken diets, at levels well below those causing toxicity, leads to production of Se-enriched meat, protection of health-promoting long-chain FA like C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 and protection of meat quality from oxidation at day 1 after slaughter.

Dietary Selenium for the counteraction of oxidative damage: fortified foods or supplements?

Since any significant modification in the Se status, leading to changes in the activity of the seleno-enzymes, may have important consequences on the susceptibility of tissues to oxidative stress, considerable efforts have been made upon increasing Se dietary intake. In this respect, an important debate is still open about the bioavailability and the effectiveness of Se, and more generally nutrients, in supplements compared with foods. Using male Wistar rats, we have compared the effectiveness of two different diets in which an adequate Se content (0.1 mg/kg) was achieved by adding the element as sodium selenite or as component of a lyophilized Se-enriched food, in the counteraction of an oxidative stress induced by intraperitoneal administration of adriamycin. Both Se-enriched diets were able to reduce the consequences of the oxidative stress in liver, mainly by increasing glutathione peroxidase activity. This increase was more evident in rats fed on the diet enriched with the lyophilized food, probably due to the different chemical forms of Se, or to other components of the food itself. Although further studies are needed, data herein presented may contribute to the characterization of the effectiveness of Se from different sources, foods or supplements, in the light of dietary advice to the population concerning improvement of Se intake.

Spinal Morphine Administration Reduces the Fatty Acid Contents in Spinal Cord and Brain by Increasing Oxidative Stress

It is well known that oxidative stress damages biomolecules such as DNA and lipids. No study is available on the morphine-induced oxidative damage and fatty acids changes in brain and spinal tissues. The aim of this work was to determine the effects of morphine on the concentrations and compositions of fatty acid in spinal cord segments and brain tissues in rabbits as well as lipid peroxidation (LP) and glutathione (GSH) levels in cortex brain. Twelve New Zealand albino rabbits were used and they were randomly assigned to two groups of 6 rabbits each. First group used as control although morphine administrated to rats in second group. Cortex brain and (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) samples were taken. The fatty acids between n:18.0 and 21.0 were present in spinal cord sections and n:10 fatty acids in control animals were present in the brain tissues. Compared to n:20.0-24.0 fatty acids in spinal cord sections and 8.0 fatty acids in the brain tissues of drug administered animals. The concentration and composition of the fatty acid methyl esters in spinal cord and brain tissues was decreased by morphine treatments. LP levels in the cortex brain were increased although GSH levels were decreased by the morphine administration. In conclusion, unsaturated fatty acids contents in brain and spinal cord sections and GSH were reduced by administrating spinal morphine although oxidative stress as LP increased. The inhibition oxidative damage may be a useful strategy for the development of a new protection for morphine administration as well as opiate abuse.

A combination of alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C and N-acetyl cysteine increases unsaturated fatty acid levels in hydrogen peroxide-induced Candida tropicalis (ATCC 13803)

This research was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant effects of combinations of alpha lipoic acid (LA), vitamin C (VC), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and alpha-tocopherol (TOC) on lipid level and fatty acid composition of C. tropicalis (ATCC 13803) against hydrogen peroxide toxicity. According to the experimental results, the cell density of C. tropicalis increased significantly in NAC+LA+H2O2, NAC+TOC+ H2O2 and NAC+VC+H2O2 groups (p<0.001) at the end of 48 and 72 h incubation times. The total lipid level in H2O2 and H2O2 + antioxidant-supplemented groups was lower than that of the control group. In the fatty acid composition of C. tropicalis, the palmitic acid level was raised in the NAC group (p<0.05), whereas its level was reduced in the other supplemented groups. While the oleic acid level increased in NAC+TOC+H2O2 and NAC+VC+H2O2 (p<0.001) groups, its level slightly decreased in the H2O2 group. The linolenic acid level was low in all the supplemented groups, but linoleic acid and total mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) levels were high in these groups compared with the control group. Total polyunsaturated fatty acid level (PUFA) decreased in NAC and H2O2 groups (p<0.01), but its level increased in NAC+LA+H2O2 and NAC+TOC+H2O2 groups (respectively, p<0.01, p<0.001). Total saturated fatty acid level decreased significantly in NAC+TOC+H2O2, NAC+H2O2 and NAC+VC+H2O2 (p<0.001) groups (p<0.01), whereas total unsaturated fatty acid level increased in NAC, NAC+H2O2, NAC+LA+H2O2, NAC+TOC+H2O2 and NAC+VC+H2O2 groups. In conclusion, our data showed that the levels of total unsaturated fatty acid, MUFA and PUFA were raised with the combinations of NAC and TOC, LA and VC in C. tropicalis cells subjected to hydrogen peroxide toxicity.

Supplementation of vitamin E and selenium prevents hyperoxaluria in experimental urolithic rats

Renal injury is considered as one of the prerequisites for calcium oxalate retention. In order to determine the role of lipid peroxidation related effects for hyperoxaluria, we evaluated the alterations in lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and oxalate synthesizing enzymes in lithogenic rats with response to vitamin E + selenium treatment. In kidney of lithogenic rats, the level of lipid peroxidation and the activities of oxalate synthesizing enzymes were found to be increased whereas the levels/activities of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants were found to be decreased. The urinary excretion of both oxalate and calcium were significantly elevated. Supplementation of lithogenic rats with vitamin E + selenium decreased the levels of lipid peroxides and the activities of oxalate synthesizing enzymes like glycolic acid oxidase (GAO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), xanthine oxidase (XO) with a concomitant increase in the activities of enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and increased levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants like ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and reduced glutathione (GSH). The urinary excretion of oxalate and calcium were normalized. The antioxidants vitamin E + selenium thereby protected from hyperoxaluria.

Fatty acid abnormalities in chronic pancreatitis: effect of concomitant diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Patients with chronic pancreatitis suffer from malabsorption and nutritional deficiencies. However there is little data available concerning the fatty acid profile in chronic pancreatitis. Diabetes mellitus, a common complication of this disease, could interfere with the metabolism of fatty acids.

SUBJECTS

We therefore compared the fatty acid composition of LDL from four groups of male patients with (a) chronic pancreatitis without diabetes (ND-CP; n=12), (b) diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis and insulin-treated (CP-D; n=35); (c) type 1 diabetes (n=25); and (d) controls (n=20).

RESULTS

The patients in both groups of chronic pancreatitis (ND-CP and CP-D) had lower mean values for linoleic acid than that seen in the type 1 DM and control groups, whereas monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA; 18 : 1(n-9) and (16 : 1(n-7)) were significantly increased in these two groups (ND-CP and CP-D). Docosa-hexaenoic-acid (22 : 6(n-3)) was significantly decreased in the CP-D group (P>0.05), a response that could be explained by the effects of diabetes mellitus and by selenium deficiency. In this way, diabetes was associated with a decrease in the docosa-hexaenoic-acid (22 : 6(n-3); r=0.30, P=0.005), and selenium was correlated with DHA (r=0.28, P=0.029) and with the 22 : 6(n-3)/20 : 5(n-3) ratio (evaluating the delta 4 desaturation); r=0.31, P=0.022), independently of the diabetes effect. Selenium was negatively correlated with 20 : 4(n-6)/20 : 3(n-6) ratio (evaluating the delta 5 desaturase; r=-0.30; P=0.025). These results suggest that these two factors may have a role in the regulation of the desaturation process. If we consider that a ratio of 16 : 1(n-7)/18 : 2(n-6) greater than 0.086 in plasma indicates an EFAn-6 deficiency, 40% of our CP patients, 57.6% of CP-D patients and 13.6% of type 1 DM patients were involved.

CONCLUSIONS

The consequences of these deficiencies are not evaluated in this disease. However, correction of the fundamental deficiencies in essential fatty acids and in selenium seems desirable in chronic pancreatitis.

Selenium intake, mood and other aspects of psychological functioning

Selenium is an essential trace element although the level of selenium in food items reflects the soil in which they were grown and thus varies markedly between different parts of the world. The metabolism of selenium by the brain differs from other organs in that at times of deficiency the brain retains selenium to a greater extent. The preferential retention of selenium in the brain suggests that it plays important functions. To date mood is the clearest example of an aspect of psychological functioning that is modified by selenium intake. Five studies have reported that a low selenium intake was associated with poorer mood. The underlying mechanism is unclear although a response to supplementation was found with doses greater than those needed to produce maximal activity of the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase. Although the functions of many selenoproteins are unknown some play important roles in anti-oxidant mechanisms. As there are suggestions that oxidative injury plays a role in normal aging, schizophrenia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, the possible role of selenium is considered. Although there is evidence that supplementation with anti-oxidant vitamins shown some promise with Alzheimer's patients, and in preventing the development of tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenics taking neuroleptics, a role for selenium has been little considered.

Effects of intraperitoneally administered lipoic acid, vitamin E, and linalool on the level of total lipid and fatty acids in guinea pig brain with oxidative stress induced by H2O2

The aim of our study was to investigate the protective effects of intraperitoneally-administrated vitamin E, dlalpha lipoic acid, and linalool on the level of total lipid and fatty acid in guinea pig brains with oxidative stress that was induced by H2O2. The total brain lipid content in the H2O2 group decreased when compared to the H2O2 + vitamin E (p<0.05), H2O2+ linalool (p<0.05), ALA (p<0.05), control (p<0.01), linalool (p<0.01), and vitamin E (p<0.01) groups. While the proportion of total saturated fatty acid ( infinity SFA) in the H2O2 group significantly increased (p<0.005) when compared to the vitamin E group, it only slightly increased (p<0.01) when compared to the control and H2O2 + vitamin E groups. The ratio of the total unsaturated fatty acid (infinity USFA) in the H2O2 groups was lower (p<0.05) than the control, vitamin E, and H2O2+ vitamin E groups. The level of the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (infinity USFA) in the H2O2 group decreased in when compared to the control, vitamin E, and H2O2+vitamin E groups. While the proportion of the total w3 (omega 3), w6 (omega 6), and PUFA were found to be lowest in the H2O2 group, they were slightly increased (p<0.05) in the lipoic acid group when compared to the control and H2O2 + lipoic acid groups. However, the level of infinity SFA in the H2O2 group was highest; the level of infinity USFA in same group was lowest. As the proportion of infinity USFA and infinity PUFA were found to be highest in the linalool group, they were decreased in the H2O2 group when compared to the control group. Our results show that linalool has antioxidant properties, much the same as vitamin E and lipoic acid, to prevent lipid peroxidation. Additionally, vitamin E, lipoic acid, and linalool could lead to therapeutic approaches for limiting damage from oxidation reaction in unsaturated fatty acids, as well as for complementing existing therapy for the treatment of complications of oxidative damage.

Selenium and the brain: a review

Similar to other tissues selenium from selenomethionine is deposited in the brain at higher concentrations than selenium in other forms. Vitamin E has a greater effect than selenium in reducing lipid peroxidation in various brain regions. Selenium does not have as great effect on glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in the brain as in most other organs. Prolonged selenium and iodine deficiencies will compromise thyroid hormone homeostatus in the brain and this is due to changes in deiodinases activities and lipid peroxidation. Even though selenium deficiency results in reduced GPX activity and selenium content in the brain, there is no reduction in thioredoxin reductase activity or selenoprotein W levels. Selenoprotein P is taken up in greater amounts by the brain but not by other organs in selenium deficient animals, suggesting a critical function of this selenoprotein in this organ. Selenium will influence compounds with hormonal activity (and neurotransmitters) in the brain, and this is postulated to be the reason selenium affects moods in humans and behavior in animals. Even though selenium counteracts the neurotoxicity of mercury, cadmium, lead and vanadium, it causes them to accumulate in the brain, presumably in a nontoxic complex.

Influence of vitamin E on the levels of fatty acids and MDA in some tissues of diabetic rats

This study was performed to determine whether vitamin E supplementation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with insulin could affect the levels of fatty acid composition and malondialdehyde (MDA) of brain, liver and muscle tissues. Thirty Wistar albino rats were used during the experiments. They were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of six individuals. The first group was diabetic, the second was control, and the third was diabetic but fed vitamin E. The level of stearic acid in brain tissues decreased (p<0.05) in the second and the third groups as compared to the first group. The percentage of arachidonic and polyunsaturated fatty acids slightly decreased (p<0.05) in the diabetic group in comparison to the second and third groups. The proportion of docosahexaenoic acid significantly increased (p<0.01) in the second and third groups in contrast to the first group. The level of docosatrienoic was slightly higher (p<0.05) in the third group than in other groups. In the liver tissues, the proportion of stearic, oleic and total monounsaturated fatty acids was slightly higher (p<0.05) in the first group than in the other groups. The level of arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, unsaturated and total polyunsaturated fatty acid slightly increased (p<0.05) in the second and third groups as compared to the first group. The level of myristic and stearic acids in muscle tissue slightly increased (p<0.05) in the first group as compared to the second and third groups. The proportion of arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and unsaturated fatty acids slightly increased (p<0.05) in the second and third groups relative to the first group. The amount of MDA was slightly higher in the diabetic group than in the other groups in all tissues. The results indicate that vitamin E supplementation, in experimental diabetes could play a role in controlling the oxidative status and altered fatty acid metabolism in tissues, thereby maintaining favourable fatty acid distribution in the tissues affected by diabetic complications.