Selenium Deficiency Influences Nitric Oxide and Selenoproteins in Pancreas of Chickens

Selenium (Se) deficiency induces pancreatic atrophy in chickens, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary Se deficiency on the expressions of 25 selenoproteins and the content of nitric oxide (NO) and examined the relationship between selenoproteins and NO. Chickens (180; 1 day old) were randomly divided into two groups, low (L) group (fed with Se deficient (Se 0.033 mg/kg) diet) and control (C) group (fed with normal (Se 0.2 mg/kg) diet). Then, pancreas was collected at 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 days, and the content of NO, the activity of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of 25 selenoproteins and iNOS were measured. The results showed that 25 selenoproteins were decreased ( P