Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of selenium in oral buccal mucosa and small intestinal mucosa during intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Background: The aim of this study were to investigate whether selenium treatment attenuates lipid peroxidation and downregulates the NF-kappa B pathway in small intestinal mucosa and to examine whether the effect of selenium is also observed in oral buccal mucosa, during small intestinal IR injury. Materials and methods: Eighteen rats were assigned into three groups: sham, IR, and IR + selenium. Saline or selenium was administered through a tail vein. 24 hours later, the superior mesenteric artery was exposed and clamped in the IR and IR + selenium groups. After ischemic and reperfusion period, animals were sacrificed and oral buccal mucosa and small intestinal mucosa were harvested. Results: Glutathione peroxidase activity and cytoplasmic I kappa B-alpha a expression was higher in the IR + selenium group than that in the IR group. A malondialdehyde level, cytoplasmic phosphorylated inhibitor kappa B-alpha, nuclear NF-kappa B p65 expressions, and NF-kappa B p65 DNA-binding activity were lower in the IR + selenium group than those in the IR group. Conclusion: A selenium treatment may cause increased GPx activity, attenuated lipid peroxidation, and downregulated the NF-kappa B pathway during small intestinal IR injury. Furthermore, these therapeutic benefits of selenium can be observed in oral buccal mucosa as well as small intestinal mucosa.