Impact of Selenium on Alcohol Induced Hypercholesterolemi: A Probe into its Mechanism

HMGCoA reductase is the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Hypercholesterolemia is associated with selenium deficiency. The present study showed that high dose of selenium reduced cholesterol level and also reduced the activity of HMGCoA reductase in alcohol induced hypercholesterolemia condition. In vitro studies showed that, activation occurs at a particular concentration. (4-13mM) below and above this concentration, inhibition is observed. Feeding sodium selenite increased the hepatic selenium content. High dose of selenium induce the expression of seleno proteins. These seleno proteins may be involved in the modulation process.