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This study investigated the antioxidants thymoquinone, selenomethione and lycopene on SiHa, a cervical cancer cell line preinfected with human papillomavirus. The hypothesis was that the combination of thymoquinone, selenomethione, and lycopene would have a detrimental effect on the viability, and biochemical analysis of SiHa cells. The specific aims were to establish the role of selenomethione, lycopene and thymoquinone on SiHa cells in the presence of, or in the absence of estrogen, and to determine if a combination of estrogen, lycopene, selenomethione, and/or thymoquinone are more effective in slowing the proliferation of SiHa cells then when used alone. Results indicated that selenomethione alone appeared to be chemoprotective, but when used in combination with estrogen, lycopene and TQ caused cellular damage as evidenced by decreased proliferation rate, increased glutathione levels, and increased MDA levels.

Increased levels of glucocorticoids (GC) can result in major complications such hypertension and vascular injury. Chronically, this condition may lead to impairment of renal function. Glucocorticoid excess was considered the etiologic agent that triggers over production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The mode of action of ROS was implicated to disrupt nitric oxide availability in the vascular endothelium, leading to vascular complications. To circumvent this damage attempts were made to use antioxidants in order to counter-balance the oxidative process. The objectives of this study were: (1) to establish an animal model of increased glucocorticoid levels by sustained delivery and (2) to determine if sustained delivery of selenomethionine in combination with glucocorticoids could protect kidney tubular structures using adult rats. Sixteen female rats were divided into four equal groups (control and 3 experimental groups implanted with tricalcium phosphate lysine drug delivery systems (TCPL) charged with either 50mg selenomethionine (Se), 50 mg corticosterone (C), or 50 mg of both C and Se). At the end of 24 days, the rats were sacrificed and both kidneys were removed for histopathological analysis. Quantitative analysis was performed on serum calcium levels, body weights and kidney weights in animals from all groups. Kidney slides were screened for possible structural damage. Sustained release of Se and Se+C resulted in a significant reduction of glomerular area (p < 0.05). Data obtained indicated that C, Se and Se+C administration caused a reduction in serum calcium levels compared to control animals. The reduction may be in part to changes in calcium-filtered load, changes in glomerular filtration rates or interference of calcium absorption from the gut. In conclusion, data obtained from this investigation provided the literature with significant information regarding the role of sustained delivery of supraphysiological levels of corticosterone in modifying kidney structure and function (possibly alter blood pressure).

The role of stress on the structural and functional capacity of multiple organs has not been well investigated. The objective of this investigation was to morphometrically evaluate the effect of sustained delivery of corticosteroids alone or in combination with selenomethionine (SE), by tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramic capsule, on the adrenals of adult male rats. Nine adult male rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. Control animals were not implanted, and thus served as the control group. Group I was implanted with TCP capsules loaded with 50-mg cortisol. Group II animals were also implanted with TCP capsules loaded with both 50-mg cortisol and selenomethionine, respectively. Surgical aseptic techniques performed following standard lab protocols. At the end of the experimental phase, the animals were euthanized and the adrenal glands were collected and weights were recorded. The retrieved adrenals were fixed, processed, embedded and sectioned (5 microns) following standard laboratory procedure. The sections were subjected to qualitative and quantitative evaluation using Image Pro Digital Analysis System. Data collected expressed in mean +/- SE and analyzed for statistical significance using analysis of variance. The results indicated that Group II animals had a significant increase in body weight compared to the control group. There was a slight increase in wet adrenal weights observed in the Group II animals compared to the control animals. Histopathological evaluation of the adrenal gland revealed a decreased in the zona fasciculata lengths in Group I, a slightly decrease in Group II, compared to the control group.

Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases, and their side effects can result in hypertension as well as effects on the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have shown the beneficial effects of anti-oxidants to delay the progression of many diseases by eliminating free radical formation. Antioxidants, such as selenium, may have an affect on the cardiovascular systems. The safety and efficiency of these over-the-counter antioxidants have not been fully investigated in vivo. The objective of this study was to supplement, the adult female rats, with the sustained release of cortisol, selenomethionine, and in combination, to evaluate its effect on the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. A total of 16 animals were randomly divided into four equal groups. A total of four animals served as naive controls. Group I animals were supplemented with a TCP capsule containing 50 mg of cortisol. Animals in Group II were supplemented with a TCP capsule containing 50 mg of selenomethionine. Group III animals were supplemented with a TCP capsule containing a combination of 50 mg of cortisol and selenomethionine. Blood and body weights were recorded weekly and at the end of 24 days, hearts were collected and analyzed morphometrically. The results indicated a slight increase in the body weights of cortisol treated animals compared to the control, selenomethionine and combination treated animals. Significant increases were observed in the heart wet weights of cortisol and combination treated animals. Further analysis of the heart showed remarkable changes in the heart apex length in the cortisol treated animals. The results suggest that cortisol caused morphological changes in the heart that may be responsible for the change in the regulation and maintenance of the normal electrical activity of the heart.