Effect of selenium in organic and inorganic form on liver, kidney, brain and muscle of Wistar rats

Selenium is a micronutrient, localized in the active sites of enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase, and participating together with these enzymes in an antioxidant defence system of organisms against free radicals. Administration of selenium is necessary for maintaining oxidative homeostasis. The present experiment is aimed at investigation of selenium impact on basal metabolic processes and selected antioxidants in a Wistar rat model, fed selenium in organic and inorganic forms. Liver, kidney, brain and muscle were sampled during a month-long feeding with four different doses of selenium (0.075 mg or 1.5 mg of inorganic and/or organic selenium per kg of feed). We found a significant reduction in glutathione level in liver tissue regardless of the form of the administered selenium. On the other hand, selenium caused a decreased glutathione reductase level in the liver and metallothionein level in the liver, kidney and muscle.