Comparative Effect of Organic and Inorganic Forms of Selenium on Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Background/Aim: An investigation was carried out to study the effect of both organic and inorganic forms of selenium as hypocholesterolemic agent. Material and Methods: Nutritional experiments were performed using 40 rats which were divided into five groups. The first group fed on hypercholesterolemic diet. The second and third groups were fed on the same diet and orally administrated with 30 and 60ug/kg b.w./day selenium yeast respectively. While the fourth and fifth groups were fed on the same diet and orally administrated with 30 and 60ug/kg b.w/day sodium selenite respectively. Results: The results indicate that addition of 60ug/kg b.w./day selenium yeast significantly decreased the level of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats on the contrary, the levels of HDL cholesterol, glutathione peroxidase and activity of superoxide dismutase were highly increased in hypercholesterolemic rats given selenium yeast. Also addition of 60ug/kg b.w of sodium selenite showed decrease of the level of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceides in hypercholesterolemic rats. Conclusion: These finding indicate the beneficial effect of organic and inorganic forms of selenium as hypocholesterolemic agent.