Selenium deficiency induces duodenal villi cell apoptosis via an oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and an inflammatory signaling-induced death receptor pathway

Selenium (Se) is an important nutritional trace element possessing antioxidant properties. Our goal was to elucidate the effect and mechanism of Se deficiency on the intestinal cell fate. One-day-old three-yellow chickens were fed a low Se diet for 1, 3, and 5 weeks. Histologic characteristics, protein expression profiles, antioxidant activities, inflammatory signaling, and the apoptosis status in duodenum mucosa were investigated. Histological...