Hyperlipidemia and type I 5'-monodeiodinase activity: regulation by selenium supplementation in rabbits

Male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups: (I) control, (II) high-fat-diet (HFD) fed, and (III) HFD fed + selenium supplemented. After 3 mo of treatment, there was a significant increase in serum cholesterol and triglycerides in the HFD-fed group as compared to the control. However in the selenium (Se)-supplemented group, the levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly less as compared to group II. HFD feeding resulted in decreased serum Se levels, but supplementation of dietary Se along with HFD, as in group III, showed an apparent increase in its levels. The Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the liver and the aorta increased significantly in HFD-fed animals and also showed an additional significant increase on Se supplementation. Both serum T3 and T4 levels showed a significant decrease on HFD feeding. However, supplementation of Se led to a significant increase in the levels of these parameters viz-à-viz HFD-fed animals. HFD feeding significantly decreased the activity of type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (5'-DI) in the liver from group II rats. On supplementation of Se along with HFD, the activity increased in the liver. However, there was no significant change in its activity in the aorta. The 5'-DI activity in the thyroid showed an opposite trend in comparison with peripheral tissues (i.e., liver). The important finding of this study is that in the hyperlipidemic state, deiodinase in the thyroid behaves in a different manner as compared to its activity in extrathyroidal tissues.