BACKGROUND: Selenium (Se) deficiency and supplementation result in multiple effects. GPx-1 (Pro198Leu) polymorphism is associated with Se deficiency. This study aimed to observe associations between Se-deficiency/supplement and GPx-1-198Leu overexpression in myocardial injuries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: GPx-1P198L transgenic (Tg) mice and non-transgenic wild-type (WT) littermates were divided into Control (CON, 0.1–0.2 mg/kg), Se-deficiency (SD, <0.02 mg/kg), and Se-supplement (SS, 0.4 mg/kg) groups. Cardiac functions were observed with animal M-mode echocardiography. Se level was measured using 2,3-diamino Kenai fluorospectrophotometry. Total cardiac GPx activity was also measured. Myocardial histopathology was determined with HE and Masson’s trichrome staining. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 were measured with Western blot analysis.

RESULTS: In WT Se-deficient mice, cardiac GPx activity was significantly decreased, and was not elevated by overexpression of GPx-1-198Leu gene. Increased GPx activity was observed in WT Se-supplemented mice and Tg Se-supplemented mice (much more). Se deficiency as well as supplementation resulted in cardiac systolic dysfunction, which was not affected by GPx-1-198Leu gene. Se deficiency led to myocardial fibrosis and pathological changes accompanied by increased activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Se supplementation significantly reduced pathological changes, as well as caspase-9 and caspase-3 levels in the presence of increased myocardial fibrosis. In Se-deficient mice, GPx-1-198Leu overexpression did not significantly decrease myocardial pathological injuries and fibrosis. In Se-supplemented Tg mice, myocardial fibrosis and caspase-9 level were increased, although pathological injuries and caspase-3 were similar to that in Se-supplemented WT mice.

CONCLUSIONS: Se deficiency as well as supplementation induced myocardial structural and functional abnormalities through activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in GPx-1P198L overexpression transgenic mice.

Keywords: Endomyocardial Fibrosis, Mice, Transgenic, Selenium, Cardiomyopathies, Dietary Supplements, Heart, Myocardium