DIETS DEFICIENT IN SELENIUM AND VITAMIN-E AFFECT PLASMA-LIPOPROTEIN AND APOLIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS IN THE RAT

The present study examined the effects of Se, vitamin E and combined S e and vitamin E deficiencies in rats on plasma lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein (ape) concentrations. Deficiencies were induced by feed ing rats the respective diets for 6 weeks. The study shows that Se def iciency results in increased concentrations of plasma cholesterol and ape E. Both could be explained by an increase in the HDL1 fraction. Vi tamin E deficiency alone had no significant effect on plasma lipid, li poprotein and ape concentrations. Se deficiency in combination with vi tamin E deficiency leads to an increase in plasma LDL and apo B concen trations. These results point to the need for further investigations o n the mechanism by which Se deficiency affects lipoprotein metabolism.