Effect of selenium and vitamin E supplements on tissue lipids, peroxides, and fatty acid distribution in experimental diabetes.

The protective role of selenium (Se), given as a Se-rich yeast, selenomethionine or selenomethionine + vitamin E supplement, toward changes in lipid, peroxide, and fatty acid distribution in tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, was investigated, after 24 wk of disease. Diabetes increased liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated dienes; Se supplement completely corrected these changes. In kidney, as in heart, the peroxide levels were not significantly changed by diabetes. In diabetic rat liver, a significant drop in triglycerides and phospholipids (P < 0.05) was observed; this was modulated by Se + vitamin E supplementation. Se + vitamin E supplementation also inhibited the decrease in 18:2n-6 and the increase in 22:6n-3 observed in liver of diabetic rats, changes which reflect altered glycemic control. In kidney, heart, and aorta, diabetes produced some changes in lipid content and fatty acid distribution, especially an increase in heart triglycerides which was also corrected by the Se supplement. Se supplementation to diabetic rats also increased 18:0 ether-linked alcohol, 20:4 n-6, and 22:5 n-3 in cardiac lipids. In aorta, Se + vitamin E significantly increased 20:5 n-3. These polyunsaturated fatty acids are precursors, in situ, of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) and PGI3 which may protect against cardiovascular dysfunction. In kidney, conversely, Se decreased 20:4 n-6, the precursor of thromboxane A2 implicated in diabetic glomerular injury. Thus Se, and more efficiently Se + Vitamin E supplementation, in experimental diabetes could play a role in controlling oxidative status and altered lipid metabolism in liver, thereby maintaining favorable fatty acid distribution in the major tissues affected by diabetic complications.