EFFECTS OF SELENIUM ON UVA-INDUCED LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN CULTURED HUMAN SKIN FIBROBLASTS

The effect of selenium on the lethal action of ultraviolet radiations and on the lipid peroxidation induced by exposures to ultraviolet A (3 20-400 nm; 360 kJ . m(-2)) and ultraviolet B (290-320 nm; 2 kJ . m(-2) ) have been measured in cultured human skin fibroblasts. The experimen ts have been performed with either pure selenium or a spring water con taining selenium and other trace elements (zinc and strontium). For ce lls cultured in a standard medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, no effect of selenium or spring water addition to the culture medium was observed on the lethality or on the peroxidative process induced by ul traviolet A and B radiations. Concurrently, there was no detectable in crease of the seleno-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity. For ce lls previously depleted in selenium by a culture in a medium containin g only 2% serum, a protective effect of selenium can be detected. Depe nding on the fibroblast donor, we observed (1) a protective effect on lethality of dividing fibroblasts induced by ultraviolet A radiations, (2) a protective effect on lipid peroxidation induced by ultraviolet A radiations on dividing or quiescent fibroblasts and (3) an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity in fibroblasts.