# Biochemical assessment of selenium’s cardiovascular protective effects in a lipopolysaccharide-induced damage in rats: Focus on oxidative stress markers and IL-6

## TL;DR

This study shows that selenium reduces heart and aorta damage in rats caused by inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting it may help prevent cardiovascular disease.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates selenium's protective effects against LPS-induced cardiovascular damage through biochemical markers in rats.

## Key findings

- Selenium reduced oxidative stress markers like MDA and increased antioxidants like SOD and CAT in the heart, aorta, and serum.
- Selenium lowered IL-6 levels, indicating reduced inflammation in heart and aorta tissues.
- LPS administration increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which were mitigated by selenium treatment.

## Abstract

One of the main causes of illness and death in communities is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Inflammation and oxidative stress are key components in the pathophysiology of CVD. It has been demonstrated that selenium lowers inflammation and oxidative stress. The purpose of this study is to do biochemical assessment of selenium’s cardiovascular protective effects in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced damage in rats.

LPS+Selenium (100 µg/kg), LPS (1 mg/kg), LPS+Selenium (200 µg/kg), and Vehicle (instead of both selenium and LPS) were given to the four groups of rats. The rats were sacrificed after 14 days, and the serum, heart, and aorta were examined for the presence of malondialdehyde (MDA), thiol, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Interleukin 6 (IL-6) was also assessed in the tissues of the heart and aorta as an indicator of inflammation.

LPS administration raised aortic and cardiac IL-6 levels (P<0.001). In the heart, aorta, and serum, it also raised MDA (P<0.001) and lowered thiol (P<0.001), CAT (P<0.01-P<0.001), and SOD (P<0.001). On the other hand, selenium therapy markedly raised thiol, CAT, and SOD levels (P<0.01-P<0.001) and lowered MDA levels (P<0.05-P<0.001). Furthermore, following selenium delivery, a decrease in the inflammatory marker IL-6 was noted (P<0.01-P<0.001).

This study showed that selenium protected the heart, aorta, and serum from oxidative stress brought on by LPS. Additionally, it reduced aortic and cardiac inflammation. These results imply that selenium’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may help prevent or lower the morbidity and mortality of CVD.