Relative and combined effects of selenium, protein deficiency and ethanol on bone

Some observations suggest that oxidative damage may affect both osteoblastic function and osteoclastic activity in alcohol-mediated bone alterations. Selenium, a potent antioxidant, is decreased in alcoholics.

To analyse if the supplementation with selenium may alter bone changes observed in a murine model fed ethanol and/or a 2% protein-containing diet, following the Lieber-deCarli design.

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups, which received the Lieber-DeCarli control diet, an isocaloric, 36% ethanol-containing diet, an isocaloric, 2% protein-containing diet; and an isocaloric diet containing 2% protein and 36% ethanol diet, and another similar four groups to which selenomethionine (1mg/kg body weight). After sacrifice (5 weeks later), trabecular bone mass was histomorphometrically assessed, bone and serum selenium were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and serum osteocalcin, insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), PTH and telopeptide, by radioimmunoanalysis. Liver glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was also determined.

Ethanol-fed rats showed decreased TBM, IGF-1 and osteocalcin, especially when ethanol was added to a 2%-protein diet. Selenium did not modify at all bone parameters, despite a marked increase in serum selenium and a less pronounced one in bone selenium, and an increase in liver GPX.

Our results do not support the existence of a beneficial effect of selenium addition on bone changes observed in this murine model treated following the Lieber-deCarli experimental design.