Effect of selenium on lipids and some lipid metabolising enzymes in DMBA induced mammary tumor rats

Current evidences clearly point out that an increase in lipid peroxidation influences lipid metabolism in cancer patients. Several investigations recognize selenium as a potent antioxidant, as well as an anticarcinogen, in both animal and human systems. Selenium was administered to Wistar rats bearing mammary tumor induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) to study alterations in the concentration of lipid profiles and in the activities of some lipid metabolising enzymes. Control and tumor-bearing rats administered with selenium, were fed 5 mg sodium selenite/kg diet from the day of tumor induction. Plasma total lipids, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, VLDL and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower in selenium-treated rats bearing tumors, whereas, plasma ester cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were significantly greater due to selenium administration in DMBA induced-tumor rats. Total lipase and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase registered greater activities in plasma of selenium administered rats with tumor, while the activity of preheparin lipoprotein lipases in plasma of rats bearing tumors was lower due to selenium administration. These observations clearly indicate the effect of selenium in correcting the abnormalities of lipid metabolism in tumor-induced rats.