Uptake and distribution of sodium selenite in rat brain tumor.

Eighteen weanling male Wistar rats with brain gliomas were divided into three groups, which received 0., 2.0, 5.0 ppm selenium (Se) in their drinking water. The accumulation and retention of selenium in the brain bearing tumor was investigated. Significantly higher concentrations of Se were observed in tumor tissue than normal brain tissue after exposure to sodium selenite. Tumors were observed in the 2.0 micrograms/g selenium group. The difference in selenium concentration between the tumor tissue and contralateral normal brain tissue was not influenced by the weight of brain or body, and water consumption. We observed that selenium accumulated in tumor tissue more than in normal brain tissue.