[Effects of selenium-enriched garlic on blood lipids and lipid peroxidation in experimental hyperlipidemic rats]

The modulating effects of selenium-enriched garlic on lipid metabolism disorder and lipid peroxidation were studied in hyperlipidemic rats induced by high fat diet. Adult male and female Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: (A) normal control; (B) high fat diet (HFD) control; (C) HFD + selenite; (D) HFD + selenium-enriched garlic; (E) HFD + common garlic; (F) HFD + common garlic + selenite. The selenium content of diets in groups A, B and E was 0.08 mg/kg diet, while that of the other 3 groups was 2.7 mg/kg diet. At the end of the experimental period (12 weeks), blood and liver were collected for biochemical measurements and for histopathological examination of liver. The results showed that the serum concentrations of TC, TG and LDL-C in groups C, D and F were significantly lower and HDL-C higher than group B. Female rats were more sensitive to HFD exposure than male rats. The peroxidative status of all four experimental groups was significant inhibited as shown by the lower lipid peroxide (MDA) in liver and higher activities of GPX in erythrocytes and liver and SOD in plasma. Selenium contents in liver and kidney of male rats in groups D and F were higher than group C. Significant accumulation of selenium in erythrocytes was observed in groups D and F. The liver of all four experimental groups revealed ameliorated fatty liver induced by HFD. The amelioration of group D was more prominent than other three experimental groups. The results suggested that selenium-enriched garlic is superior to selenite or common garlic in decreasing the blood lipid level and peroxidative status and slightly better than combined common garlic and selenite.