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Hepatic metabolite profiles in mice with a suboptimal selenium status
Kerstin E Geillinger1, Daniel Rathmann2, Josef Köhrle2
1ZIEL Research Center of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 2, 85350 Freising, Germany.
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
|June 12, 2014
Summary
Suboptimal selenium intake impairs liver function, decreasing selenoprotein activity and altering lipid and amino acid metabolism. This may increase the risk of chronic diseases linked to selenium deficiency.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Metabolomics
- Trace Element Metabolism
Background:
- Selenium is vital for numerous selenoproteins, crucial for cellular defense and metabolism.
- Inadequate selenium intake is linked to metabolic dysfunction and increased disease risk, including cancer and cardiovascular issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of suboptimal selenium status on the hepatic metabolome in male mice.
- To understand the metabolic disturbances caused by selenium deficiency at the molecular level.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed a diet with approximately 50% of the recommended selenium content.
- Hepatic metabolome was analyzed using targeted liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and non-targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Main Results:
- Reduced activity of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase, alongside increased lipid peroxidation.
- Decreased serum T3 thyroid hormone levels due to diminished hepatic deiodinase activity.
- Significant alterations in cysteine and one-carbon metabolism, with elevated palmitoylcarnitines, oleoylcarnitines, and specific phosphatidylcholine species.
Conclusions:
- Suboptimal selenium status significantly alters lipid and one-carbon metabolism in mouse liver.
- Observed metabolic changes, including altered amino acid flux and lipid profiles, may underlie the increased disease risk associated with selenium deficiency.
