The contents of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) in the organs (liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, and brain) and the liver cell fractions (nuclear, mitochondrial, microsomal, and cytosolic fractions) of Se- or vitamin E (VE)-deficient rats were measured using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The contents of Fe in the liver of Se-deficient rats, and in the liver and the spleen of VE-deficient rats were increased compared with those in normal rats. Fe contents increased mainly in the microsomal fraction. Contents of Co in the organs and liver cell fractions of Se- and VE-deficient rats were markedly low, reflecting the Co contents in both diets. Contents of Zn in the organs and liver cell fractions of Se- and VE-deficient rats decreased to 60—80% of the contents in normal rats. The Se contents in Se-deficient rat organs except for the kidney, spleen, and brain were below the detectable level under the present conditions. Se contents in VE-deficient rat decreased to 50—80% of those in normal rats in all organs and fractions. It is suggested that oxidative stress due to Se- or VE-deficiency affects the dynamics of Fe and Zn.
