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Both inorganic and organic selenium supplements can decrease brain monoamine oxidase B enzyme activity in adult rats

Ya-Li Tang1, Shih-Wei Wang, Shyh-Mirn Lin

  • 1Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, no. 89, Wenhwa 1st Street, Tainan County 717, Taiwan.

The British Journal of Nutrition
|February 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Selenium supplementation, in both inorganic and organic forms, effectively reduces brain monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity in adult rats. This effect is linked to selenium's antioxidant properties, offering potential neuroprotective benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Neuroscience
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Brain monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity increases with age, contributing to neurotransmitter imbalance and oxidative stress.
  • Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a byproduct of MAO activity, exacerbates oxidative damage.
  • Selenium (Se) is a vital antioxidant, existing in both inorganic and organic forms, with potential roles in mitigating age-related neurological changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the inhibitory effects of inorganic (selenite) and organic (selenoyeast) selenium compounds on rat brain MAO-B activity.
  • To evaluate the impact of selenium supplementation on overall antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in rats.
  • To explore the relationship between selenium's antioxidant function and its effect on MAO-B activity.

Main Methods:

  • Adult rats were divided into four groups: control, tocopherol (positive control), selenite (inorganic Se), and selenoyeast (organic Se).
  • Animals received normal diets for 11 weeks followed by test diets for 12 weeks.
  • Measurements included serum total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation levels in brain and liver, and MAO-B enzyme activity in brain and liver tissues.

Main Results:

  • Serum total antioxidant capacity was significantly elevated in both selenite and selenoyeast groups compared to control and tocopherol groups.
  • Lipid peroxidation levels were significantly reduced in the brains and livers of rats supplemented with tocopherol, selenite, or selenoyeast.
  • MAO-B activity in the brain significantly decreased in the tocopherol, selenite, and selenoyeast groups, with no significant changes observed in the liver.

Conclusions:

  • Both inorganic and organic selenium supplementation can effectively decrease brain MAO-B enzyme activity in adult rats.
  • The observed reduction in MAO-B activity is likely mediated by selenium's inherent antioxidant capabilities.
  • Selenium supplementation demonstrates potential as a strategy to manage age-related increases in MAO-B activity and associated oxidative stress.

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