Selenium-rich maize modulates the expression of prostaglandin genes in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.

Cell signaling is necessary for the organs to co-ordinate with the whole body and it includes response to external stimuli, inflammation, hormonal secretions and other various metabolic functions. In the present study, we have focused on the inflammatory signals modulated by the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Under homeostatic conditions, these species turn on the COX-1-dependent arachidonic acid (AA) pathway towards the release of anti-inflammatory enzymes. However, the excess release of these ions induces negative effects in the form of inflammation by turning on the COX-2-dependent AA pathway to release pro-inflammatory enzymes. In the present study, we observed the shunting of the COX-2-dependent AA pathway towards the release of anti-inflammatory enzymes with the supplementation of organic dietary selenium in the form of seleniferous maize extracts. We observed that 500 nM selenium concentration in Se-maize extracts downregulated the COX-2 and mPGES-1 expressions by 3.8- and 3.2-fold and upregulated the GPx-1 and H-PGDS expressions by 5.0- and 5.4-fold, respectively. To facilitate more availability of Se from the dietary matrices, Se-maize extracts were incubated with rMETase. It was observed that the enzyme-treated cells increased the downregulation of COX-2 and mPGES-1 expressions by 24.8- and 21.0-fold and the upregulation of GPx-1 and H-PGDS expressions by 13.2- and 16.5-fold, respectively.