Role of selenium status in cognitive functions involvement of mitochondrial functions and Nrf2 pathway

Abstract

The study demonstrates that postnatal dietary Se status influences antioxidant response in liver as well as in brain regions through modulation of antioxidant defense enzymes. Moreover, the findings suggest alternations in element homeostasis, changes in inflammatory response as well as changes in mitochondrial functions. Among the brain regions, cortex showed more prominent changes in mitochondrial functions as well as NRF2 related gene regulation under altered Se status. The behavioral analysis showed that altered dietary Se levels leads to cognitive and motor deficits along with psychometric changes as well as decrease in memory retrieval without any effect on memory formation. The increase in defecation on exposure to new environment might also be an indication of emotional changes in mice due to long term alternation in dietary Se. The multivariate analysis of the elemental levels showed that the brain regions satisfactorily handled Sedeficiency by balancing changes in other elements. However, the mechanisms adopted by different brain regions either by modulating the activity of mitochondrial functions, the expression of specific genes might, or protein function by altering the levels of other elements fails to protect against the oxidative stress induced damages. In addition, study indicates need to further understand the role of Rb with respect to brain functions. The study also suggests that hair Se levels could be used to as noninvasive and convenient marker to monitor dietary Se intake of in the population. Based on the findings from the study it is recommended that Se be given appropriate attention in public health programs worldwide. newline