Selenium (Se) mainly performs its function through Se-containing proteins. Selenoprotein W (SelW), one member of the selenoprotein family, plays important roles in the normal function of the heart. To investigate the possible relationship between Se and SelW for the regulation of oxidative damage in chicken embryo myocardial cells, we treated myocardial cells with Se and H2O2. Then, the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine in the culture media, levels of SelW, inflammatory genes NF-κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, p53, and the cell cycle were analyzed. Furthermore, the correlation between SelW and the levels of these factors was determined. The results indicated that Se treatment increased the expression of SelW (P < 0.05) and caused a downregulation of p53, NF-κB, and TNF-α (P < 0.05). In contrast, H2O2 increased the expression of p53, NF-κB, TNF-α, and LDH (P < 0.05) and induced early cell apoptosis, which was alleviated by treatment with Se. In addition, SelW had a positive correlation with the levels of inflammatory genes investigated. Taken together, our findings suggested that SelW is sensitive to Se levels and oxidative stress, and may play a role in the protective function of Se against oxidative damage and inflammation in chicken myocardial cells.
Keywords: Antioxidative stress; Chick myocardial cells; Selenite; Selenoprotein W.