Effect of Selenium on Incisor Depigmentation and Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning in Vitamin E-Deficient Rats

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Abstract
Summary Male weanling rats were fed a vit E- and selenium-deficient basal diet containing 10% soybean protein. In one experiment the diet was supplemented with 1% cod liver oil and in another it was not. On these diets the rats exhibited a significantly reduced growth rate, increased tooth decoloration, and increased sensitivity to CCl4 poisoning, as compared with rats given alpha-tocopherol, selenium, or both. When cod liver oil (1%) was present in the deficient diet, a 43% incidence of deaths due to lung hemorrhage and/or liver necrosis resulted, as well as a reduction in growth rate and greater degree of incisor depigmentation. Sensitivity to CCl4 poisoning, however, was not as marked. Vit E or selenium protected against the lung and liver syndrome, but selenium now provided only slight protection against tooth depigmentation.