PROTECTION OF HEME-PROTEINS BY VITAMIN-E, SELENIUM, AND BETA-CAROTENEAGAINST OXIDATIVE DAMAGE IN RAT-HEART, KIDNEY, LUNG AND SPLEEN

Effects of the combination of vitamin E, selenium, and beta-carotene o n oxidative damage to rat heart, kidney, lung, and spleen were studied by measurement of the production of oxidized heme proteins (OHP) duri ng spontaneous and prooxidant-induced oxidation. Male SD rats were fed with a vitamin E and selenium deficient diet or a diet supplemented w ith vitamin E, selenium, and beta-carotene. Homogenates of heart, kidn ey, lung, and spleen were incubated at 37-degrees-C with and without t he presence of bromotrichloromethane (CBrCl3). The diet supplemented w ith antioxidants showed a strong protective effect against oxidative d amage to heme proteins during the early stages of both spontaneous and CBrCl3-induced oxidation in contrast to the antioxidant deficient die t. Synergism of multiple antioxygenic nutrients against oxidative dama ge to various animal tissues is discussed.