• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-43
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• 1990

The purpose of this study is to investigate the vairous change in the toxicity of cadmium by the simultaneous administration of selenium and zinc, which have been reported to change -the toxicity of cadmium through the interaction with cadmium, to rat. For the experiment, 42 rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were used. The experimental groups were divided into 6 groups: a control group, a cadmium (100ppm) alone treatment group, a cadmium (100ppm) and zinc (100ppm) combined treatment group, and three cadmium (100ppm), zinc (100ppm) and selenium (1, 4, and 8ppm) combined treatment groups. The rats were allocated seven to each group and observed for seven weeks. The results of experiment are as follows: 1. The food consumptions of each group were reduced, compared with a control group, especially, in a cadmium and zinc combined treatment group and a cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium(1ppm) combined treatment group to the significant level compared with a control group (p < 0.05). The water consumptions of each group were reduced to the very significant level compared with a control group (p < 0.01). The feed efficiencies of each group were lower than a control group, and among them the highest group was cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (8ppm) combined treatment group as 90% of a control group. 2. In all groups, the weight gains were highest in the second week and the total weight gains were reduced to the very significant level compared with a control group (p < 0.01). 3. In all groups, the relative weights of liver were reduced, compared with a control group, especially, a cadmium alone treatment group was reduced to the significant level (p < 0.05). The relative weight of kidney was high to the significant level in a cadmium alone treatment group (p < 0.05) compared with a control group. In all groups, the relative weights of testis were reduced, compared with a control group, but the levels were not significant. 4. The accumulation of cadmium was highest in the kidney and the order of height was in liver, testis and blood, respectively. In all groups, the amount of cadmium accumulation was high to the very significant level compared with a control group (p < 0.01). In liver, the amount of acdmium accumulation in. a cadmium alone treatment group was high to the significant level compared with a cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (8ppm) combined treatment group (p < 0.05), and in kidney, the amount of cadmium accumulation in a cadmium alone tretment group was high to the very significant level compared with the cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (4, 8ppm) combined treatment groups (p < 0.01). However, in testis, among the treatment groups the level was not significant and in blood, a cadmium alone treatment group was low to the significant level compared with the cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (4, 8ppm) combined treatment groups (p < 0.05). 5. According to the histopathological finding on the testis, some of the seminiferous tubules of a group treated with cadmium alone showed severe necrosis and atrophy. But the testis of cadmium $\cdot$ zinc and selenium (8ppm) combined treatment group was similar to that of a control group. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the repeated simultaneous oral administration of large doses of selenium with the cadmium produces the partial amelioration of cadmium toxicity, whereas zinc does not.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.217-223
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• 2006

Fifty castrated crossbred ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$) pigs, weighing an average of $60.6{\pm}3.1kg$ were allotted to one of five treatments in a randomized block design to examine the effects of dietary inclusion of 0.1% L-carnitine (50 ppm carnitine), 0.1% selenium-enriched yeast (0.3 ppm selenium), 0.1% Jujube fruit or 0.1% Hwangto (Red clay) on pig performance and carcass quality. All diets were based on corn, wheat, soybean meal and wheat bran and were formulated to supply 13.8 MJ DE/kg. Dietary supplementation did not influence daily gain (p = 0.57), feed intake (p = 0.52), or feed conversion (p = 0.32). Digestibility of dry matter (p = 0.60), organic matter (p = 0.74), crude protein (p = 0.76), crude fibre (p = 0.70) and energy (p = 0.75) were also unaffected by inclusion of any of the additives. Tissue samples taken from the longissimus muscle showed that the levels of carnitine (p = 0.0001) and selenium (p = 0.0001) were significantly higher with dietary inclusion of carnitine or selenium-enriched yeast. Dietary treatment did not affect dressing percentage (p = 0.33), carcass lean yield (p = 0.99) or first, $10^{th}$ and last rib midline backfat depth (p = 0.45, 0.82 and 0.47, respectively). Dietary treatment also did not affect the percentages of tenderloin (p = 0.37), bacon (p = 0.36), fat and bone (p = 0.56), picnic shoulder (p = 0.25), skirt (p = 0.80), fresh ham (p = 0.31) or ribs (p = 0.79). However, pigs fed the diet containing Jujube fruit had a higher percentage of Boston butt than pigs fed the carnitine or selenium supplemented diets (p = 0.01). Pigs fed added Hwangto had a higher (p = 0.04) percentage of loin compared with pigs fed supplementary selenium or Jujube fruit. Loin muscle from pigs fed carnitine had a significantly lower Hunter colour value for L (whiteness, p = 0.004) and a higher value for $a^*$ (redness; p = 0.069). The overall results indicate that supplementation with L-carnitine and selenium-enriched yeast can produce pork containing higher levels of carnitine and selenium, which could provide health benefits for consumers of pork without detrimental effects on pig performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.913-920
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to compare conventional antioxidants and plant extracts for oxidative stress control in lambs fed a high-concentrate diet. Methods: Forty-eight male Dorper×Santa Ines lambs with an initial weight of 20±1.49 kg and 60 days of age, were used to evaluate the effects of feeding a combination of Macleaya cordata and Magnolia officinalis plant extracts (0 vs 320 mg/kg dry matter [DM]) in combination with selenium+vitamin E (0 vs 100 IU/kg DM of vitamin E and 0.1 mg/kg DM of selenium) in a completely randomized block design in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. The animals were housed in individual pens and received a high-concentrate diet consisting of 80% whole corn and 20% protein pellet for 60 days. The animals were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and every 14 days for performance monitoring. Three blood samplings were performed during the experimental period for the evaluation of oxidative and protein parameters. Results: The treatments with vitamin E and selenium as additives had a positive influence on final weight, daily weight gain, carcass weight, and selenium content in longissimus muscle (p = 0.01). Plant extracts tended to improve final weight (p = 0.064) and daily weight gain (p = 0.059), showing similar effect as selenium and vitamin E. There was no effect of treatment on blood proteins, indicating that the animals were healthy throughout the experiment. Conclusion: The use of plant extracts had a similar effect as the addition of selenium and vitamin E, with dietary inclusion of additives resulting in better performance of lambs but both supplements did not have strong influence on oxidative stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1135-1155
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• 2007

Selenium is considered to be one of the most controversial trace elements. On the one hand, it is toxic at high doses and there is a great body of information related to environmental issues of Se contamination. On the other hand, Se deficiency is a global problem related to an increased susceptibility to various diseases of animals and humans and decreased productive and reproductive performance of farm animals. Optimisation of Se nutrition of poultry and farm animals will result in increased efficiency of egg, meat and milk production and even more important, will improve quality. From the data presented in the review it is clear that the main lesson which we have to learn from nature is how to use organic selenium in animal and human diets. Selenium-enriched yeast (Sel-Plex) is the result of such a lesson and it is just a matter of time before animal nutrition moves completely from using ineffective sodium selenite to organic selenium. Other lessons from nature will follow. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics, in association with descriptions of new selenoproteins, will be a driving force in reconsidering old approaches related to Se nutrition. Probably 90% of all Se research has been conducted with sodium selenite and we now understand that the natural form of selenium is different. The main advances in Se status assessment and Se requirements were established based on the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), an enzyme which for many years was considered to be the main selenoprotein. Recently it was discovered that it is only one of at least 25 various selenoproteins. Se research and practical applications are developing quickly and they are very exciting and promising.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of butanol (BuOH) fraction of Alisma canaliculatum (Ac) and/or selenium (Se) treatment on glycogen level, lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of the five groups: normal, STZ-control, and three experimental groups (Ac group, Ac-Se group, and Se group). Diabetes was experimentally induced by intravenous administration of 45 mg/kg of STZ in citrate buffer. The BuOH fraction of Ac (400 mg/kg bw) was orally administered for 3 weeks. The Se group were fed a AIN-93 recommended diet mixed with Na$_2$SeO$_3$ (2 mg/kg diet). The liver glycogen level of Ac and Ac-Se groups were significantly higher, when compared with the STZ-control groups. The muscle glycogen level was not significantly differ among all groups. The levels of liver triglyceride were higher in Ac-Se group than the STZ-control group. Pancreas protein levels were significantly increased in Ac-Se group than STZ-control group. The concentration of liver malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly decreased in Ac and Se groups and decreased in Ac-Se group. Administration of BuOH fraction of Alisma canaliculatum and selenium supplementation increased the liver glycogen and triglyceride levels, and reduced peroxidative liver damage in STZ induced diabetic rats. These results suggest that treatment with a BuOH fraction of Alisma canaliculatum in combination with selenium has no synergistic antioxidative effect. Selenium supplementation may lead a decrease MDA of liver in diabetic rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2619-2627
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• 2015

There are several studies that relate oxidative damage as possible mechanism for many cancers. Many studies have also shown that anti-oxidants like selenium and vitamin E decrease the risk for prostate cancer. The main objective of the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) study was to look for the benefits of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on prostate cancer. The study had a large sample size, stringent experimental conditions, very long duration, standardized laboratories for biochemical analyses and other factors that contribute to high external validity. The SELECT study failed to show any significant risk reduction for prostate cancers ascribable to selenium and vitamin E supplementations. Because of these conflicting results, many researchers argue about the methods used, supplementations administered (selenium and vitamin E) and indicators used for assessing levels of supplementations. We reviewed many epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and pre-clinical studies. With corroborative evidences we justify that SELECT study has a sound methodology and rationale. In lieu of the contrary results of the select study, researchers should focus on the probable mechanisms for these contrary findings and continue their search for newer and effective agents for prevention of prostate cancer.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.301-309
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• 2016

Due to undesirable hazardous interactions with biological systems, this investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of chronic exposure to silver on certain biochemical and some oxidative stress parameters with histopathological examination of brain, as well as the possible protective role of selenium and/or vitamin E as nutritional supplements. Thirty six male rats were divided into six groups of six each: the first group used as a control group. Group II given both vitamin E (400 mg/kg) of diet and selenium (Se) (1 mg/L) in their drinking water. Group III given silver as silver nitrate ($AgNO_3$) (20 mg/L). Group IV given vitamin E and $AgNO_3$. Group V given both $AgNO_3$ and selenium. Group VI given $AgNO_3$, vitamin E and Se. The animals were in the same exposure conditions for 3 months. According to the results which have been obtained; there was an increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipase activities and cholesterol level, a decrease in serum total protein, calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in Ag-intoxicated rats. Moreover, the findings showed that $Ag^+$ ions affected antioxidant defense system by decreasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increasing vitamin E concentration with a high level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissue. The histological examination also exhibited some nervous tissue alterations including hemorrhage and cytoplasm vacuolization. However, the co-administration of selenium and/or vitamin E ameliorated the biochemical parameters and restored the histological alterations. In conclusion, this study indicated that silver could cause harmful effects in animal body and these effects can be more toxic in high concentrations or prolonged time exposure to this metal. However, selenium and vitamin E act as powerful antioxidants which may exercise adverse effect against the toxicity of this metal.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.277-282
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• 2005

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of organic selenium in mushroom cultured media (MCM) on beef quality. Each five of 20 Hanwoo steers(20 - 24 month, approximately 613 kg) were assigned to four levels of the selenium content(O.l, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 dry matter based ppm), and the feeding treatments were enforced for 12 weeks. The results showed that m. longissimus from the 0.1 ppm feeding supplementation had greatly higher intramuscular fat content than other treatments(13.1 %). In meat color, the 0.1 ppm treatment showed the lowest lightness(CIE $L^*$)(P< 0.05) and had a tendency to have lower redness(CIE $a^*$). The treatment had no noticeable effect on moisture, protein, and ash content, cooking loss, water-holding capacity and purge loss. The 0.3 ppm treatment resulted in the toughest meat(assessed by WB-shear force) with 4.54 kg / inch', while other groups showed a similar toughness ranging from 3.3 to 3.7 kg/ inchl . Sensory characteristics in juiciness and flavor intensity had a tendency of increasing as organic selenium concentration increased, but tenderness was not influenced by the contents. The result indicated that the organic selenium feeding affects meat qualities to different extent, and further study is required to examine anti-oxidant effect of selenium in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.679-688
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• 1999

The combined effects of iron and selenium status on glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity, cytochrome P-450 activity, and lipid peroxidation in the liver and intestinal mucosa of rats were investigated. In experiment one, four experimental groups (+Se+Fe, -Se+Fe, +Se++Fe, -Se++Fe) were manipulated for 3 weeks with intramuscular administration of irondextran (++Fe) and/or normal diet (+Fe) and deionized water (-Se) and/or selenium-supplemented deionized water (+Se). In experiment two, 2% dietary carbonyl iron (instead of the parenteral administration) was fed for 3 weeks to rats. Body weight of rats was significantly decreased in both parenterally and orally iron-overloaded groups (p<0.01), regardless of Se supplement. Serum iron was significantly increased in parenterally iron-overloaded groups but it was marginally increased in orally iron-overloaded groups. There was no significant difference in hemoglobin content among experimental groups in either experiment one or two. Total iron in the small intestine, intestinal mucosa, and livers was significantly high in both parenterally and orally iron-overloaded rats, regardless of selenium status. In the liver and intestine, GSHPx activity was significantly higher in all selenium-supplemented groups, compared to Se-deficient groups (p<0.01) and lipid peroxidation was significantly enhanced in both parenterally and orally iron-overloaded groups, compared to iron-adequate groups. There was no significant difference in cytochrome P-450 activity in the livers between groups in both experiment one and two. These results indicated that GSHPx activity in liver and intestinal mucosa was depended on selenium status, regardless of iron status, and iron-overload enhances lipid peroxidation in liver and intestinal mucosa by increasing the tissue iron content.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.68-73
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• 2020

Due to its favorable optical properties, Cu₂SnS₃ (CTS) is a promising material for thin film solar cells. Doping, which modifies the absorber properties, is one way to improve the conversion efficiency of CTS solar cells. In this work, CTS solar cells with selenium doping were fabricated on a flexible substrate using sputtering method and the effect of doping on the properties of CTS solar cells was investigated. In XRD analysis, a shift in the CTS peaks can be observed due to the doped selenium. XRF analysis confirmed the different ratios of Cu/Sn and (S+Se)/(Cu+Sn) depending on the amount of selenium doping. Selenium doping can help to lower the chemical potential of sulfur. This effectively reduces the point defects of CTS thin films. Overall improved electrical properties were observed in the CTS solar cell with a small amount of selenium doping, and a notable conversion efficiency of 1.02 % was achieved in the CTS solar cell doped with 1 at% of selenium.