Selenium inhibits UV-light-induced skin carcinogenesis in hairless mice.

Abstract

Female hairless inbred hr/hr mice were exposed to UV-B irradiation from Philips TL 40W/12 fluorescent tubes. Fractionated irradiation, given as single daily doses 5 days a week, was gradually increased from 0.04 to 0.4 J/cm2 over 2 weeks. Irradiation at 0.4 J/cm2 was continued for 20 weeks. Selenium supplementation given as sodium selenite in the drinking water at 2, 4 and 8 mg/l began 3 weeks before UV-irradiation and continued thereafter. Development of skin tumors was followed by weekly examinations. Statistical analyses revealed significant dose-dependent selenium-mediated protection against UV-light-induced skin cancer. Leukemia developed in 5 of 150 UV-irradiated mice as opposed to none in a group of 60 unirradiated mice.

• Authors: K Overvad, E B Thorling, P Bjerring, P Ebbesen
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 27 Issue 2 Pg. 163-70 (Jun 1985) ISSN: 0304-3835 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 4005828 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Selenium

Topics

• Animals
• Eating (drug effects)
• Female
• Mice
• Mice, Hairless
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced (prevention & control)
• Selenium (pharmacology)
• Skin Neoplasms (prevention & control)
• Ultraviolet Rays (adverse effects)