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Effects of Dietary Copper, Cadmium, Iron, Molybdenum and Manganese on Selenium Utilization by the Rat

Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB2 9SB, U.K.

The possible antagonistic effects of different dietary concentrations of copper (1.3–200 mg/kg), cadmium (1–5 mg/kg), iron (20–500 mg/kg), molybdenum (0.3–50 mg/kg) and manganese (0.2–200 mg/kg) on selenium utilization by the rat were studied by the measurement of the absorption and organ distribution of dietary selenium as [⁷⁵Se]selenite and by effects on organ glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px: EC 1.11.1.9) activity. Although a high concentration of copper (200 mg/kg) in the diet did not alter the percentage absorption and total-body retention of doses of ⁷⁵SeO₄^2- by rats, after such treatment tissue ⁷⁵Se distribution was changed and was lower total selenium in some tissues. After copper treatment (200 mg/kg diet) GSH-Px activity of liver, testis, kidney and whole blood was also lower. Dietary cadmium, iron, molybdenum and manganese at the concentrations investigated had no significant effects on selenium metabolism. Thus it is unlikely that copper, cadmium, iron, molybdenum and manganese at normal dietary concentrations will have a major effect on selenium metabolism in the rat, especially if adequate amounts of selenium are being consumed.

KEY WORDS: • selenium • absorption • selenium and copper interaction

¹ Present address: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Khartoum, Sudan.

² A. G. A. R. was supported by a postgraduate scholarship from the University of Khartoum, Sudan.

³ To whom correspondence and repirnt requests should be addressed.

Manuscript received 25 April 1985. Revision accepted 15 November 1985.