Beneficial effects of Se/Zn co‐supplementation on body weight and adipose tissue inflammation in high‐fat diet‐induced obese rats

This research investigated the effect of co-supplementation of selenium with zinc on weight control and the inflammatory and oxidative status in relation to obesity. Male Wistar rats (N = 32) were randomly divided into four groups after induction of obesity model: 1) â��Znâ�� was supplemented with zinc sulfate (15 mg/kg BW), 2) â��Seâ�� supplemented with selenium as sodium selenate (0.5 mg/kg BW), 3) â��Zn + Seâ�� which received Zn (15 mg/kg BW) + Se (0.5 mg/kg BW), and 4) â��HFDâ�� as the control group. The intervention was done for eight weeks. At the end of treatment, serum and tissue level of Zn, Se, SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, leptin, TNF-I±, and IL-6 was evaluated. Weight and food intake were significantly reduced in the Se group(p <.001), while in the Zn group, weight gain due to obesity was prevented compared to the control group (p =.48). There was a significant and stronger increase in SOD, GSH-Px levels and a remarkable decrease in MDA, leptin, TNF-I±, and IL-6 in the group receiving the combination of two supplements than either alone(p <.001). Leptin had a positive correlation with inflammatory factors and lipid peroxidation marker and showed an inverse relationship with Zn and Se levels and anti-oxidative enzymes(p <.05). The analysis showed the mediating role of leptin in the effects of zinc. Co-supplementation of selenium and zinc may have a synergistic effect in reduction of oxidative and inflammatory markers. Regarding the effect of zinc on inflammatory factors and lipid peroxidation, leptin can play a mediating role. © 2021 The Authors. Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC