These results suggest that the dietary flavonoids could reduce retinoic acid-induced oxidative stress and bone loss and that flavonoids may be useful therapeutics for prevention of skeletal diseases.

Kidney (n = 297), liver (n = 52), jawbone (n = 80) and muscle (n = 48) samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus) from north-eastern Croatia in the 2002--05 hunting season were analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical evaluation of results showed age-related accumulations of renal cortex Cd and Zn, bone Pb, and muscle Zn. Renal cortex Cd and Zn were significantly associated. In addition, concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue were significantly correlated with Fe content. Found levels of toxic metals were not likely to affect the health status of animals. A total of 49% of the muscle, 60% of the kidney and 6% of the liver samples were unsuitable for human consumption according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. However, the calculated intake of Cd through deer meat consumption is small and represents no health risk when consumption is moderate.

Selenium (Se) reduces cadmium (Cd) toxicity in adult animals, but its effects in newborn animals are still unknown. This study investigated Cd (as CdCl2) absorption, distribution, and retention in suckling rats receiving oral Se supplementation (as Na2SeO3) in equimolar doses (8 μmol Cd and/or Se per kg b.w./day). Selenium was given either before and during Cd exposure (Sepre + Cd group; pretreatment group) or only during Cd exposure (Se + Cd group). Rats were treated from postnatal day (PND) 6-14 as follows: controls (H2O, PND 6-14), Se (PND 10-14), Cd (PND 10-14), Sepre + Cd (Se PND 6-14 + Cd PND 10-14) and Se + Cd (Se + Cd PND 10-14). Selenium supplementation, especially pre-treatment, decreased Cd levels in the blood, brain, liver and kidney of suckling rats. Selenium levels in plasma, brain, and kidney also decreased. These findings suggest that higher Se intake could efficiently reduce Cd retention during the suckling period.

No abstract

No abstract