Selenium (Se) is known as an antioxidant mineral and heme iron is a major source for iron intake which can promote carcinogenesis in the body. This study was to investigate the effect of Se on heme-aggravated colon carcinogenesis in mice. Three experimental groups included control [normal diet + AOM (10 mg/kg body weight in saline)/DSS (2% in the drinking water)], [AOM/DSS + hemin (534 mg/kg body weight in CMC)], and [AOM/DSS + hemin + Se (2.82 mg/kg diet in CMC)] groups. Colonic mucosa were stained with 0.3% methylene blue and the colonic polyps, aberrant crypt (AC) and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were counted. Lipid peroxidation in liver was evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay. The number of polyps in the hemin + Se group was 31.6% lower than that in the control group, and 41.4% lower than that in the hemin group. The number of AC in the hemin + Se group was 42.8% lower than that in the control group, and 49.1% lower than that in the hemin group. The number of ACF in the hemin + Se group was 49.0% lower than that in the control group, 45.7% than that in the hemin group. Hepatic TBARS level in the hemin + Se group was significantly low compared with the control group or the hemin group (p<0.05). These findings suggest that Se treatment may be protective against colon carcinogenesis promoted by a high heme-containing diet.

INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
    Experimental materials
    Animals and experimental diets
    Experimental design
    Sample collection
    ACF, AC and polyps counts
    Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay
    Statistical analysis
RESULTS
    Change in body weight
    Polyps count
    AC and ACF count
    TBARS level
DISCUSSION

• Tae-Ryung Kim(College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea)
• Seongjoo Yoon(Department of Aviation Services, Cheongju University, Cheongju 28503, Korea)
• Beom Jun Lee(College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea) Corresponding Author