Author

Mary LaBue

Abstract

Few studies have been conducted on the effect of in vitro selenium (Se) supplementation on cellular immunity. In the present study, the effects of in vitro incubation with sodium selenite on natural killer (NK)-mediated cytotoxicity and phagocyte chemiluminescence (CL) were examined. NK-mediated cytotoxicity and phagocyte CL were observed to be affected by added selenite. These changes generally included augmentation and suppression of both neutrophil CL and NK-mediated cytotoxicity. All dosages of selenite used were shown to be capable of causing augmentation of neutrophil CL. However, 1.0 /xg/ml selenite was also observed to occasionally cause depression of neutrophil CL. When Se supplementation enhanced NK cytotoxicity, the effect was always observed at 0.1 /xg/ml selenite dosage. Higher dosages of selenite induced both enhancement and depression of activity. The existence of a narrow dosage-window is evident.

The activity of the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was also determined in NK cells and phagocytes following selenite supplementation. Dose-dependent augmentation of phagocytic activity by selenite supplementation was accompanied by a corresponding increase in phagocyte GSH-Px activity. The effect of Se treatment on non-adherent cell GSH-Px activity did not correlate with NK cytotoxicity.

LLU Discipline

Microbiology

Department

Microbiology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Benjamin H.S. Lau

Second Advisor

William C. Eby

Third Advisor

James D. Kettering

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1988

Date (Title Page)

3-1988

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Selenium -- administration & dosage; Cytotoxins; Glutathione Peroxidase

Type

Thesis

Page Count

ii; 32

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Included in

Microbiology Commons

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