SELENIUM CONCENTRATION AND GLUTATHIONE-PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY IN SELENIUM AND MAGNESIUM DEFICIENT RATS

To clarify the effects of selenium (Se) and magnesium (Mg) deficiencie s on Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) status, weanling male Wista r rats weighing 50-60 g were placed on four kinds of diets divided by two levels of Se (0.5 or 0.019 mg/kg) and Mg (500 or 50 mg/kg) for 8 w k. Magnesium deficiency had an influence on distribution of Se, which was increased in muscle and decreased in other tissues. The changes in GSHPx matched those in Se. The levels of Se and GSHPx in most tissues were lower in Se-Mg-deficient rats than in Se-deficient rats. Thus, s elenium and Mg deficiencies would make oxidant lesion more serious tha n Se deficiency.