PURPOSE: To compare the protective effects of saponin and non-saponin Sun-ginseng extract fractions in a selenite-induced rat cataract model. METHODS: A total of 101 Sprague-Dawley rat pups were divided into four groups by treatment: Sun-ginseng, saponin fraction, non-saponin fraction, and control. For induction of cataracts, sodium selenite 15 nmol/g was injected subcutaneously in 13 day-old rat pups. Sun-ginseng extract 100 microgram/g (Group I, Ginseng Science, Seoul, Korea), saponin fraction 100 microgram/g (Group II), non-saponin fraction 100 microgram/g (Group III), and phosphate buffered saline (Control group) were injected intraperitoneally every two days for a total of seven injections. The rats were sacrified and their lenses were dissected and photographed at day 7 and 14, and the cataracts were graded according to the ratio of the cataract area to the total lens area. The blind method was used for the evaluation of the cataract area. RESULTS: At day 14, cataract formation rates (CFR) were 33.3% in group I, 76.4% in group II, 41.2% in group III, and 77.7% in the control group. The mean cataract area (MCA) was 13.4+/-20.8% in group I, 14.4+/-11.7% in group II, 5.7+/-7.7% in group III, and 15.8+/-12.1% in the control group. Group III showed statistically significant results compared with those of control group (CFR p=0.001, MCA p=0.001). We observed significantly lower incidence and smaller mean cataract area in Group I and Group III at day 7 compared with the control group (Group I, CFR p=0.018; Group III, CFR p=0.032, MCA p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The protective effects of Sun-ginseng extract are caused by the components in the non-saponin fraction, not by those in the saponin fraction, in a selenite-induced cataract rat model.
Animals ; Cataract ; Incidence ; Panax ; Rats ; Saponins ; Sodium Selenite ; Solar System

This study was conducted to investigate the metallothionein induction by sodium selenite in mercuric Chloride intoxication. Mercuric chloride of 3.0 mg/kg of body weight was administered simultaneously with sodium selenite of either a high dosage of 2.5 mg/kg or low dosage of 1mg/kg via intraperitioneal injecion to rats. After the treatment, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours later, mercury and selenium content in liver and kidney tissues, serum transaminase activities(SGOT, SGPT), metallothionein, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase sotivity and histological changes were determined. The results were summarized as follows on: 1. The combined administration of mercury and selenium significantly more decreased mercury concentrations in liver and kidney compared to the administration of mercury only. 2. The combined administration of mercury and selenium significantly more increased renal metallothionein compared to administration of mercury only. This phenomenon was more remarkable when a large dose(2.5 mg/kg) of selenium was administered with mercuric chloride. 3. Glutathione concentration, glutathione peroxidase activity in liver and kidney and serum transaininase activity(SGOT, SGPT) were less suppressed in the combined administration group than the mercury only group. 4. Histological damage in renal tissue was not revealed in rats treated with mercury and selenium. From the above results, selenium administered simultaneously with mercury decreased mercury concentration in liver and kidney, increased renal metallothionein concentration and decreased the toxicity of mercury. The hypothetic mechanism suggested is that selenium induces the metallothionein combined with Hg and redistributes Hg in tissues.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Kidney ; Liver ; Mercuric Chloride* ; Metallothionein ; Rats* ; Selenium ; Sodium Selenite* ; Sodium*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT) with sodium selenite compared to the effects of CDPT without sodium selenite for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). METHOD: Patients (n=40) who were diagnosed with BCRL were randomly assigned to the two groups: sodium selenite group or the non-sodium selenite group. In the sodium selenite group, sodium selenite was administered for 100 days concurrently with CDPT. In the non-sodium selenite group, only CDPT was administered. The main outcome measurements included limb circumference (proximal, distal and total) to indicate volume changes, the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the short form-36 version 2 questionnaire (SF-36) scores to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) pre-treatment, 100 days post-treatment and 130 days post-treatment for each patient. RESULTS: The sodium selenite group experienced volume reduction of 8.22% and 9.21%, at 100 and 130 days post-treatment, respectively. The non-sodium selenite group experienced 5.57% and 6.11% reduction in swelling at the same periods. Between the two groups, more significant volume reduction was observed in the affected distal limbs of patients assigned to the sodium selenite group compared to patients in the non-sodium group. However, the VAS and the SF-36 scores were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Sodium selenite therapy in combination with CDPT is effective in reducing the volume of upper limb in BCRL, and significantly reduce the volume of the affected distal upper limb compared to CDPT alone.
Breast ; Extremities ; Humans ; Lymphedema ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sodium ; Sodium Selenite ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: To evaluate antioxidative and preventive effects of sea tangle extract on selenite-induced cataract formation. METHODS: Eighty SD rat pups were randomized into 8 groups. Group 1 received no injection of reagent (normal); Group 2 to 8 received injection of selenite (15 micromol/Kg, s.c.) was injected. In group 2 (control) and group 3, normal saline (i.p.) and ascorbic acid (i.p.) was injected on days 3~31. In groups 4~8, sea tangle extract (i.p.) was injected at a concentration of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg, respectively. Development of cataract was assessed and photographed weekly under slit lamp. Rat lenses were analyzed for antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde. Furthermore, an amino acid analysis of sea tangle extract was performed. RESULTS: Significant differences (p<0.05) were seen in cataract development in group 7. Dense nuclear cataracts developed in 8 of 10 of the control group (group 2); Group 4~8 developed nuclear cataract with proportion of 6/10, 3/10, 2/10, 1/10, and 6/10 rats. In sea tangle injected group, levels of GPx were higher than in the ascorbic acid and control groups. In particular, group 7, injected with 100 mg/kg of sea tangle extract, showed significantly high level of enzyme. Results of the amino acid analysis showed sea tangle includes glutamate-glycine-cysteine, major constituents of glutathione (GSH). CONCLUSIONS: The glutamate-glycine-cysteine in sea tangle is supposed to increase the level of lens GSH and this may contribute to lowering cataract development. This study strongly supports the activity of sea tangle as an endogenous antioxidant and anticataract agent.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Ascorbic Acid ; Cataract ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Malondialdehyde ; Rats ; Sodium Selenite ; Superoxide Dismutase

In order to investigate the effects of Na(2)SeO(3) on expression of VEGF in K562/ADR cells, K562 and K562/ADR cells were treated with Na(2)SeO(3) at dose of 5 and 10 micromol/L. The expressions of VEGF in K562 and K562/ADR cells were detected by ELISA before and at the different time point after treatment. The mutiplie of reversion of resistance was detected by MTT method. The results showed that Na(2)SeO(3) at dose of 10 micromol/L could increase the sensitivity of K562/ADR cell to adriamycin, the multiple of reversion was 3.48. The expression levels of VEGF in K562 and K562/ADR cells increased with prolongation of time cultured, and the VEGF expression levels in K562/ADR cells at the different time points were higher than that in K562 cells (P < 0.05); 5 and 10 micromol/L Na(2)SeO(3) did not suppress expression of VEGF in K562 cells at 72 hours (P > 0.05), and the VEGF level in K562 cells at 96 hours decreased without statistical significance; 5 and 10 micromol/L Na(2)SeO(3) acting for 48 hours did not show suppressive effect on expression of VEGF in K562/ADR cells (P > 0.05), 5 micromol/L Na(2)SeO(3) could decrease the expression of VEGF in K562/ADR cell after treatment for 96 hours, while 10 micromol/L Na(2)SeO(3) could significantly decrease the expression of VEGF in K562/ADR cells treated for 72 hours and 96 hours (P < 0.01). It is concluded that VEGF would be involved in the multidrug resistance of leukemia. Na(2)SeO(3) decreasing expression of VEGF in leukemic cells may be one of the mechanisms reversing multidrug resistance.
Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Sodium Selenite ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of aluminum citrate (AC), rare earth compounds (REC) and sodium selenite (SS) on the surface elements of chrysotile fibers and the inhibitory mechanisms of three compounds for chrysotile-induced biological activities.

METHODSAfter being soaked in 250, 500 and 1000 microg/ml aluminum citrate solutions, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 microg/ml mixed rare earths solutions or 125, 250, 500 and 1000 microg/ml sodium selenite solutions for 10 min or 1 hour, the fabrication and the levels of surface elements of chrysotile fibers were determined.

RESULTSAluminum citrate, mixed rare earths or sodium selenite all could be adsorbed by chrysotile fibers. After pretreatment of chrysotile fibers with aluminum citrate, mixed rare earths or sodium selenite solutions for 10 min or 1 hour, the corresponding elements or ion on the surface of chrysotile fibers increased with the increase of concentration of the solutions.

CONCLUSIONPretreatment of chrysotile with aluminum citrate, mixed rare earths or sodium selenite solutions can change the fabrication and the levels of surface elements of chrysotile fibers, and inhibit the biological activities of chrysotile by "sealing" some "active sites" on the surface of chrysotile fibers.

Asbestos, Serpentine ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Citric Acid ; chemistry ; Metals, Rare Earth ; chemistry ; Sodium Selenite ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological studies suggest that selenium protects against the development of several cancers. Selenium (sodium selenite) has been reported to interfere with cell growth and proliferation, and to induce cell death. In this study, we tested whether selenium could have growth-inhibiting effect in ovarian cancer cells and an orthotopic animal model. METHODS: Cell growth in selenium-treated cells was determined in human ovarian cancer cells, A2780, HeyA8, and SKOV3ip1 using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. Animal experiment of selenium with paclitaxel was performed using SKOV3ip1 cells in nude mice to evaluate their inhibiting effect for tumor growth. In addition, another animal experiment of paclitaxel with or without selenium was performed to assess the effect of survival and food intake in mice. RESULTS: The in vitro growth of selenium-treated cells was significantly decreased dose-dependently in A2780, HeyA8, and SKOV3ip1 cells. Therapy experiment in mice was started 1 week after injection of the SKOV3ip1 cells. Treatment with selenium (1.5 mg/kg, 3 times/week) and paclitaxel injection showed no addictive effect of the inhibition of tumor growth. However, combination of selenium and paclitaxel showed the slightly increased food intake compared with paclitaxel alone. CONCLUSION: Although selenium has growth-inhibiting effect in ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro, there is no additive effect on tumor growth in mice treated with combination of paclitaxel and selenium. However, food intake is slightly higher in selenium-treated mice during chemotherapy.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Eating ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Paclitaxel ; Selenium ; Sodium Selenite

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of sodium selenite on the expressions of beta-catenin and cyclin D1 in colorectal cancer cells HCT 116 and SW480.

METHODSHCT 116 and SW480 cells were treated by 10 micromol/L sodium selenite at different time points. The expressions and transcription of beta-catenin and cyclin D1 were detected by Western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Meanwhile, the impact of MG132 (a proteasome inhibitor) pretreatment on the expressions of beta-catenin and cyclin D1 was observed through Western blot analysis. The interaction between beta-catenin and T cell factor 4 (TCF4) after selenite treatment was evaluated using co-immunoprecipitation assay.

RESULTSSodium selenite inhibited the expression of beta-catenin and transcription of its target such as cyclin D1. MG132 pretreatment prevented the inhibition of beta-catenin signaling triggered by selenite in HCT 116 and SW480 cells. Furthermore, selenite treatment disrupted the interaction between beta-catenin and TCF4 in HCT 116 and SW480 cells.

CONCLUSIONSSodium selenite can lower the expression levels of beta-catenin and its target cyclin D1, during which the proteasome-mediated degradative pathway may be involved. The decreased interaction between beta-catenin and TCF4 due to sodium selenite may be also involved in the regulation of beta-catenin signaling.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; HCT116 Cells ; Humans ; Sodium Selenite ; pharmacology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to observe the human hair follicle apoptosis status affected by fluorine and the antagonism effect by selenium in vitro.

METHODSThe single hair follicles were separated and cultured, then they were added in different concentrations of sodium fluoride and sodium selenite. Chosen the appropriate concentrations, they were divided into 7 groups. The TUNEL was used to investigate the apoptotic cells of different parts. The morphous of hair follicles was observed consecutively and electron microscope was used.

RESULTSWe found that in 1 mmol/L and 10 mmol/L sodium fluoride groups, when the human hair follicles in vitro were cultured on the 5th day, the apoptotic cells of outer root sheath (ORS), dermal sheath and hair papilla, hair bulb were obviously increased. But 0.01 mmol/L sodium selenite weakened the toxicity of 1 mmol/L sodium fluoride at the outer root sheath and hair bulb (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDifferent concentrations of sodium fluoride had different effect on the growth of human hair follicle in vitro which were cultured on 5th day. Sodium fluoride of certain concentration could accelerate the apoptosis of human hair follicle in vitro. Sodium selenite of certain concentration could act antagonism to the toxicity of sodium fluoride.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Hair Follicle ; drug effects ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Sodium Fluoride ; pharmacology ; Sodium Selenite ; pharmacology ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: In vitro, some neuropeptides, including substance P(SP), act as a growth factor. The cyclic growth of the richly innervated hair follicle offers a model for probing such functions in a complex, developmentally regulated tissue interaction system under the physiologic condition. Dissecting the role of neuropeptides in this system may also reveal as yet obscure neural mechanisms of hair growth control. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SP on human hair growth using a recently described model in which isolated hair follicles are grown in vitro. METHODS: After the healthy human hair follicles without any visible damage were collected, they were cultured in DMEM with several combination of supplements including insulin, hydrocortisone, sodium selenite, human transferrin, fetal bovine serum at 37 degrees C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 /95% air incubator, and SP was added to the media. The culture media were supplemented with final concentration of 10(-6),10(-7),10(-8) M SP dissolved in DMEM. The results were evaluated by measuring linear hair fiber growth and hair follicle morphology on light microscopy and electron microscopy and by measuring radioisotope uptake of [methyl-3H] thymidine and [U-14C] leucine of hair follicle. RESULTS: The following results were obtained from this study. 1. SP did not have an statistically significant effect on the rate of linear hair growth in cultured hair follicles. However, it prolonged the anagen stage of hair cycle. 2. We could not find morphological differences of hair follicles cultured in SP groups compared with those cultured in control group. 3. DNA and protein synthesis in hair follicles increased steadily for 5 days of culture. CONCLUSION: From the results, we can conclude that SP has growth-stimulatory effect and especially prolongs the duration of anagen phase without affecting the rate of linear hair growth.
Atmosphere ; Culture Media ; DNA ; Hair Follicle* ; Hair* ; Humans* ; Hydrocortisone ; Incubators ; Insulin ; Leucine ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neuropeptides ; Organ Culture Techniques* ; Sodium Selenite ; Substance P* ; Thymidine ; Transferrin