• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the synergic effect of dietary selenium and methionine levels on hepatic lipid metabolism in ethanol treated rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed diets containing three levels of methionine(0,3 and 9g/kg diet) with or without selenium(0.45mg/kg diet). Ethanol was administered with 25%(v/v) ethanol orally at the same time once a day in ethanol group and isocalori sucrose was administered to the control group. The rate were sacrificed after 5 and 10 weeks of feeding period. Glutathione content was decreased by ethanol treatment and significantly increased in proportion to level of dietary methionine and was higher in selenium deficiency group than that of selenium admin-istration group. Lipid peroxide content was significantly increased in deficiency of both methionine and selenium(LMet-Se+EtOH) group. Total lipid triglyceride and cholesteol contents in liver were increas-ed and phospholipid content was decreased in ethanol treated group and ethanol treatment accelerated those increment and decrement in methionine deficiency(LMt) group and excessive methionine admin-istration(HMet)group.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.491-499
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• 2003

Selenium is a strong antioxidant trace mineral, scavenging free radicals. The prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases is increasing in Korean adults with increasing age. The increased cell damage from free radicals has been implicated in the etiology of these diseases, and evidence is accumulating that the low selenium status that comes with advanced aged is involved in the prevalence of age-associated diseases. However, little is known about the selenium status of Koreans, its age-related change and its relationship to dietary nutrient intake. In this study, the serum selenium levels of healthy adult females according to life cycle and its association with blood albumin levels and nutrient intake were examined. Serum selenium level was measured with the Huwo research reactor using the neutron activation analysis method (NAA). The overall proportion of women with selenium deficiency, serum selenium concentrations below 7.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, was 9.4%. The average serum selenium levels were 12.39 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 9.45 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl and 9.16 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in the young adult, middle-aged and elderly groups, respectively, showing a reduction of selenium status with advancing age. Selenium deficiency was seen only in the elderly group. Generally, serum selenium levels positively or negatively correlated with nutrient intake, but these association patterns differed depending on the age. The nutrients that showed positive correlations with selenium levels were proteins and phosphate in the young adult group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05), and total calcium, potassium and vegetable-origin calcium in the middle-aged group. Vitamin C and fiber were the negative correlated nutrients with serum selenium levels in the elderly group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis of the determining factors responsible for selenium status showed that age and serum albumin levels were important factors which explained up to 26.9% variances in serum selenium levels. The average selenium concentrations of Korean adult female subjects were above the deficiency levels in all three age groups. There was a tendency toward decreasing selenium levels as the age of the subjects increased. The factors with the strongest in-fluence on selenium status in healthy adult Korean females were age and serum protein status. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 491~499, 2003)

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.36-39
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• 2003

Many defined cell culture media were formulated over 3() years ago and may be deficient in certain micronutrients whose essentiality has only subsequently been recognised. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether alpha-minimal essential medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum contained sufficient selenium for optimal activity of the selenium containing enzymes cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (cGPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Additionally, the effect of zinc deficiency and metallothionein (MT) overexpression on cGPx and PHGPx activity was studied. The addition of 100 nM of selenous acid to the culture medium increased cGPx expression by 10-fold and PHGPx by about 2-fold in both wild-type CHO-K1 cells and CHO-K1 cells overexpressing mouse MT-1. Zinc deficiency had no significant effect on enzyme activity, but cells overexpressing mouse MT-1 had higher levels of cGPx activity. Zinc deficiency decreased cell survival but overexpression of MT-1 was partially protective, probably because its presence in quantity favoured the uptake, sequestration and cellular retention of any remaining zinc. This study demonstrates that selenium in complete alpha-MEM is insufficient for optimal cGPx and PHGPx activity and may compromise the cellular response to oxidative stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.757-760
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• 2000

The selenium status of beef cattle in the southern part of Thailand and the selenium concentration of soil and herbage consumed by those animals were investigated. Samples were collected from three areas with different soil types, namely, sandy soil, peat soil and laterite soil. The selenium concentration of soil, herbage and blood plasma showed a similar tendency; the values of laterite soil were higher than those of the other two areas. However, the selenium concentration of herbage of each pasture was lower than the NRC requirement, and that of blood plasma was not in the sufficient level. These data suggested that beef cattle raised in these areas were in the chronic selenium deficiency. We concluded that selenium supplementation is needed for the increase of animal productivity in the southern part of Thailand.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.265-267
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• 1998

Cattle in Alaska seemed to be tolerant to low blood selenium (Se) although arctic winter energy demands might exacerbate oxidative damage to tissues lacking protection by Se. The thermogenic properities of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the long cold adaptation period for Alaskan cattle indicates that they might develop BAT. Eighteen mature beef cows with whole blood Se of< 19 ppb were used to examine possible relation-ships among Se deficiency, tissue lesions, and observable BAT. All cows were wintered on a diet low in Se and nine cows were given supplemental Se provided by intraruminal bolus. Blood Se was elevated (p < .05) from November through February by supplemental Se, but body weight and back fat thickness were unaffected (p < .10). Tissues were taken from two Se deficient cows, two cows supplemented with Se, and two cows given large doses of Se (300 mg by injection) four weeks before slaughter. Histopathological examination of 187 samples of fat (7 to 55 from each cow) showed no observable amount of BAT. Examination of other tissues showed no lesions attributable to Se deficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.1249-1255
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• 2015

We examined the effects of selenium-binding peptide from sericin hydrolysates on the bioavailability of selenium-deficient rats. Three-week-old male rats were fed a selenium-deficient diet for 4 weeks while the normal control group was fed a normal diet. The selenium-deficient rats were divided into three groups: no treatment, organic selenium (OS), and inorganic selenium (IS). After selenium supplementation for 4 weeks, the level of serum glutathione reduced form in rats treated with organic selenium was significantly higher than that of inorganic selenium. Selenium retention rate also increased significantly in the organic selenium group compared to the inorganic selenium group [selenium deficient diet (DD)+OS 50.25% vs. DD+IS 17.04%, P<0.05]. In conclusion, binding of selenium to peptides from sericin hydrolysates seems to improve its bioavailability, and can hasten a cure for selenium deficiency in experimental rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 1996

Clinical findings of white muscle disease or dystrophia were reported in Hokkaido horses from 1960. This disease was caused by selenium and $\alpha$-tocopherol deficiency. Therefore, this study were conducted to measure serum selenium and $\alpha$-tocopherol levels in Cheju island horses using feedstuffs containing volcanic ashes. The results were as follows : 1. The mean values of serum total selenium and $\alpha$-tocophcrol were $91.90{\pm}49.18ppb$(13.20ppb-193.80ppb) and $0.345{\pm}0.253mg/dl$(0.056mg/dl-1.159mg/dl) in female respectively. There were no significant relation between serum total selenium and $\alpha$-tocopherol levels. 2. 22%(15 of 68) of the horse examined showed selenium levels below 50ppb. 11.8%(8 of 68) showed $\alpha$-tocopherol levels lower than 0.10mg/dl. These results could be useful to diagnose of white muscle disease of Cheju island foals and quality control of feedstuffs of pregnant mares.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.7.1-7.13
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• 2017

Background: Selenium is one of the trace minerals whose deficiency is known to lead to complications of female reproduction. The identified gaps in researches regarding selenium and pregnancy include optimizing the dosage of selenium supplementation, timing of supplementation, finding the best form and type of selenium, and selenium administration combined with other antioxidants. Hence, this study was conceptualized to address one of the identified gaps, that is, to find out the best timing of selenium administration around the time of pregnancy. Specifically, this study aimed to assess the effects of maternal Selenium-supplementation, administered at various stages of periconception period, on murine blastocyst morphology, percent occurrence of good quality blastocysts, and implantation status. Methods: ICR female mice were randomly assigned into the unsupplemented group (Group I) receiving basal diet without selenium, and treatment groups given with $3.0{\mu}g$ selenium-supplement per day during pregestation only (Group II), pregestation-throughout-gestation (Group III) and gestation only (Group IV). Both blastocyst morphology and implantation status were assessed. Results: The morphometric measurements of blastocysts appeared to be unaffected by selenium-supplementation at different stages of periconception. Selenium-supplementation at pregestation only (Group II) and gestation only (Group IV) produced higher percent occurrence of good quality blastocysts and lower percent pre-implantation loss than Group III. Among all the treatment groups, Group III (Selenium-supplementation during pregestation-to-gestation) yielded the lowest quality blastocysts and highest percent pre-implantation loss. Conclusion: Maternal selenium-supplementation during pregestation and gestation stages of the periconception period yielded a high percent occurrence of good quality blastocysts and pre-implantation success.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2008

Purpose: Patients with chronic gastrointestinal disease are at risk for trace element deficiency due to impaired absorption and gastrointestinal loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trace element status of patients with gastrointestinal disease by blood and hair analysis, and to determine the usefulness of hair mineral analysis for diagnosing trace element deficiency not detected by a blood test. Methods: An analysis of hair minerals was performed and compared with blood mineral analysis in 13 patients with chronic gastrointestinal disease. The concentration of each element in the hair and blood was compared in the subgroups based on parenteral nutritional support or clinical symptoms. Results: Almost all patients had trace element deficiency. The trace elements deficient in the blood or hair analysis included zinc, selenium and copper. The hair zinc concentration was significantly lower in the group receiving parenteral nutritional support. The hair selenium concentration was statistically associated with the clinical symptoms of hair loss, brittle hair and loss of hair pigmentation. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that patients with chronic gastrointestinal disease should receive adequate zinc and selenium replacement to avoid trace element deficiency especially when treated with long-term parenteral nutrition. Hair mineral analysis is useful as a complementary tool for the detection of a trace element deficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.109-115
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the effects of methionine(Met) on the activities of brain lipid peroxidation related enzymes in ethanol administrated rats of selenium(Se) deficiency. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed Se deficiency diets containing one of the three levels of Met (0, 3, 9g/kg diet) and ethanol(2.5g/kg of body weight) was administrated as 25v/v% ethanol treated groups orally. The rats sacrificed after 5 and 10 weeks of feeding periods. Alcohol dehydrogenase activity was increased in ethanol treated groups and was higher Met normal group than Met deficiency and excessive groups at 5 and 10 weeks dieting. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity was decreased in ethanol treated groups and significantly decreased in Met deficiency group. Monoamine oxidase activity in brain was increased in ethanol treated groups and was predominently increased in Met deficiency groups. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were decreased in ethanol treated groups and tended to increase in proportion to level of dietary methionine. Glutathione S-transferase and catalase activities and lipid peroxide content were increased by ethanol administration and were higher Met deficiency group than normal and excessive groups.