Effect of vitamin E on selenium cytotoxicity in chick ganglia cultures

Short term exposure of cultured chick ganglia nerve fibers and neuroglia to selenite produced half maximal inhibitory growth effects in concentrations of 6.2 (2.9--13.0) X 10(-5) M and 1.1 (0.7--1.7) X 10(-4) M, respectively. Complete inhibition of growth for both cell types was apparent at 1 X 10(-3) M, while slight stimulation of nerve fiber outgrowth occurred at 1 X 10(-6) M. The addition of vitamin E to these mixed nerve elements produced effects not distinguishable from controls, while on the other hand affording significant protection to the cytotoxic effects of selenite (1 X 10(-4) M). Nerve fibers were more sensitive to selenite than were glial cells. Furthermore, selenite with and without vitamin E exerted a darkening effect on the explant cultures at 1 X 10(-4) M, which became absent or reduced above or below this concentration. The high affinity and binding properties of selenium for the non-polar hydrophobic bi-lipid layer and SH functions of membranes may be implicated in this metal-membrane interaction. The cytotoxic effects of selenite in vitro even though non-specific are protected by the simultaneous presence of vitamin E.