Effect of selenium-enriched defatted rape seeds on tissue cadmium and essential elements utilization in rats

The effect of selenium-enriched defatted rapeseeds (DRS) added to the diet on Se uptake by rat organisms (whole blood, liver, kidney) was investigated in model conditions. Additionally, the response of other essential trace and major mineral elements (Cu, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, S, and Zn) in rat organisms on selenium and/or DRS addition was assessed. The experimental diets for the individual experimental groups were prepared as follows: group DRS 0 (control diet), group DRS 30 (30% of soybean meal in the diet replaced with DRS), group DRS60 (60% of soybean meal in the diet replaced with DRS), and group DRS100 (100% of soybean meal in the diet replaced with DRS), either unenriched or naturally fortified with Se. Whereas Se content in the blood and liver of the animals remained unchanged, increased Se levels were observed in kidney of the selenized DRS100 group compared to the others. Moreover, the results showed decreasing Cd content in the rat liver with increasing Se content in the diet, confirming antagonism of these elements. Concerning the essential elements, the application of the selenized DRS did not result in any serious imbalance in the utilization of these elements. In contrast, Se addition seems to be helpful for the improved utilization of essential elements such as P, S, and Zn, compared to the DRS-containing diet without Se fortification.