Inorganic selenium acts as a sensitizer to ionizing radiation in vivo Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, which normally do not contain selenoproteins, were treated with sodium selenite. When selenium concentration inside cells reached measurable levels, the cells were exposed to cirradiation. Cells that contained selenium became more sensitive to radiation. The synergistic effect of selenite and radiation was shown by induction of free radicals, an increase in lipid peroxidation, and a reduction in glutathione. This probably took place due to inhibition of mitochondrial electron chain transport. Na2SeO3 acted by increasing free radicals, which made cells vulnerable and facilitated cell death. This suggests that selenite compounds may be further developed as a sensitizer to increase the effect of radiation.