Effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on lipid abnormalities inplasma, aorta, and adipose tissue of Zucker rats

Twenty-nine obese female Zucker rats (fa/fa) were fed with a laboratory cho w supplemented or not with a selenium-rich yeast (Selenion), or Selenion vitamin E, or vitamin E alone. Twelve lean female Zucker rats (Fa/Fa) of th e same littermates fed with the same diet were used as control. After 32 wk of diet, obesity induced a large increase in plasma insulin and lipid leve ls. A significant decrease in the plasma vitamin E/triglycerides ratio (p < 0.005) and an increase in plasma thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS ) (p < 0.005) were also observed. Plasma selenium and vitamin E increased i n all supplemented rats. The plasma insulin level was decreased by selenion supplementation and the vitamin E/triglycerides ratio was completely corre cted by double supplementation with Selenion + vitamin E. TEARS were also e fficiently decreased in two obese groups receiving vitamin E. Ln plasma, adipose tissue and aorta, obesity induced an increase in palmiti c acid (C16:0), a very large increase in monounsaturated fatty acids (palmi toleic acid C16:1, stearic acid C18:1) associated with a decrease in polyun saturated n-6 fatty acids (Linoleic acid C18:2 n - 6, arachidonic C20:4 n - 6). These alterations in fatty acid distribution were only partly modulate d by Se and vitamin E supplements. However, in the aorta, antioxidant treat ment in obese rats significantly reduced the increase in C16:0 and C16:1 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and the decrease in arachidonic acid (p < 0.05). These changes could be beneficial in the reduction of insulin res istance and help to protect the vascular endothelium.