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Effect of Selenium Deficiency on Phosphorylation of the AMPK Pathway in Rats

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Abstract

Selenium is an important trace element for human health. Previous studies have raised concern that dietary selenium intake may change energy metabolism. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of energy status that controls cellular energy homeostasis. We aimed to determine the effect of selenium on the phosphorylation of AMPK pathway between Se-deficient and normal Sprague–Dawley rats. Twenty-four weaning rats were fed either a Se-deficient diet (0.02 mg Se/kg) or a standard diet (0.18 mg Se/kg). After 109 days, total serum levels of non-esterified fatty acid and total amino acids were significantly higher and the serum insulin concentration was significantly lower in Se-deficient rats than in healthy controls. Selenium concentration and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in myocardial tissue were significantly lower in Se-deficient rats. Importantly, mRNA levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase beta (ACACB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), and protein levels of p-AMPKα were increased in the Se-deficient group compared to normal controls (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that selenium deficiency induces changes in metabolic and molecular parameters involved in energy metabolism in the AMPK pathway.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Scientific Foundation of China (81273008).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, China

    Shulan He, Jiangping Li & Hongyan Qiu

  2. Key Laboratory of Environment and Gene Related Diseases, Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Ministry Education, Xi’an, Shaanxi, No.76 Yanta West Road Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China

    Xiong Guo, Wuhong Tan & Xiaohui Su

  3. Department of Laboratory, the First Hospital of Yulin City, Yulin, Shaanxi, 718000, China

    Wang Pan

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  1. Shulan He
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  2. Xiong Guo
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  4. Xiaohui Su
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  5. Jiangping Li
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Correspondence to Wuhong Tan.

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He, S., Guo, X., Tan, W. et al. Effect of Selenium Deficiency on Phosphorylation of the AMPK Pathway in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 169, 254–260 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0427-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-015-0427-z

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