Effect of Selenium and Vitamin C on Clinical Outcomes, Trace Element Status, and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in Horses with Acute and Chronic Lower Airway Disease. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Excess production of reactive oxygen species is involved in the pathogenesis of airway disorders in horses. Trace element antioxidants have a beneficial role in oxidant/antioxidant balance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a combination of sodium selenite and ascorbic acid on clinical outcome, antioxidant enzymes, and trace elements status in horses with lower airway disease. For this purpose, 40 draft horses with lower airway disease were randomly selected (acute, n = 20; chronic, n = 20). Both acute and chronic cases were randomly allocated into two subgroups (ten each). Groups 1 and 2 were the horses with acute disease, while groups 3 and 4 were chronically ill. For all groups, each horse was administered antibiotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and mucolytic drug. In addition, groups 2 and 4 were injected with 15 mg/kg sodium selenite and 30 mg/kg ascorbic acid every 24 h for successive 4 weeks. Venous blood samples were obtained from diseased horses on three occasions; at first examination, and at 2 and 4 weeks post-treatment. Clinically, antioxidant supplementation improved the clinical signs with significant decrease (p < 0.05) of the clinical index score in both acute and chronic cases. In supplemented groups compared with non-supplemented, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of copper, zinc, selenium, and iron as well as in the activity of glutathione-S-transferase and catalase. Meanwhile, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the levels of manganese, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and low-density lipoprotein and in the activity of glutathione reductase. The results of the present study indicate that administration of sodium selenite and ascorbic acid may have beneficial effect on clinical outcome and antioxidant balance in horses with acute and chronic lower airway disease.

Influence of specific management practices on blood selenium, vitamin E, and beta‐carotene concentrations in horses and risk of nutritional deficiency

“…Selenium deficiency consistently has been associated with skeletal and cardiac muscle damage, and inadequate alpha‐tocopherol status has been linked to degenerative myeloencephalopathy and neuroaxonal dystrophy, motor neuron disease, and vitamin E‐deficient myopathy in horses 1‐3 . In addition, supplementation of horses with these antioxidants has been correlated with attenuation of oxidative stress markers and positive effects on fertility and immune function 4‐7 …”

Level of Micronutrients Affects Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review

“…It is associated with increased production of antibodies as well as improved performance of T-helper cells (Th-cells), cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs) and NK-cells. However, Se is only needed by the body in trace amounts as increased in-take may increase the risk of heart, liver, and kidney damage [30]. The role of Se in the pathogenesis of DM is yet to be clearly profiled.…”

Theranostic applications of selenium nanomedicines against lung cancer

“…2 C). In terms of Se forms, Youssef et al [ 57 ] showed that supplementation with sodium selenite provides a positive effect on the clinical prognosis of low airway respiratory diseases. Further research has shown that Se is mainly used against respiratory disease to promote immune function.…”