Effects of selenium supplementation in mice with hypercholesterolemia using statin

Abstract

Statins inhibit the first steps of cholesterol biosynthesis in the mevalonate pathway. This pathway is also important for the maturation of selenocysteine tRNA (Sec tRNA), responsible for the expression of all selenoproteins, and, when inhibited, results in decreased availability of selenoproteins. The decrease in selenoproteins has been associated with side effects related to the use of statins such as myopathies and increased oxidative stress. Aim: The studies proposed herein will improve our understanding and insights regarding the effects of selenium supplementation combined with the use of statins in animal models. Methodology: Age-matched homozygous KO mice and wild-type (WT) homozygous littermates and/or C57BL/6J animals will be used in experiments. Blood samples will be collected for analysis of cholesterol levels, oxidative stress and creatine kinase activity. Total selenium content in the plasma, muscle and liver will be assessed by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Western Blot will be performed to quantify the expression of selenoproteins. Statistical tests will be used to assess differences between groups and the correlations between the variables of interest. (AU)