Preeclampsia is a complex multisystem disorder of pregnancy where oxidative stress plays an important aetiological role. The role of selenium in the synthesis of endogenous antioxidants is well documented, and a significant reduction in selenium has been reported in preeclamptic women. The objective of this study was to map global selenium status and preeclampsia incidence. This study identifie...

Introduction: The aim of study was to compare umbilical cord blood selenium levels in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and non RDS preterm babies.    Methods: Umbilical cord blood selenium levels of all preterm newborn born during a 6-month period were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups: RDS and non RDS. Selenium level was assessed by using electro-thermal atomic ab...

INTRODUCTION Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human health, being a cofactor for enzymes with antioxidant activity that protect the organism from oxidative damage. An inadequate intake of this mineral has been associated with the onset and progression of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary diseases, asthma, and cancer. For this reason, knowledge of the plasma and...

Data on mercury and selenium interaction in the mammalian body are reviewed. Experimental data from studies on rats show that selenium interacts with mercury metabolism and toxicity after exposure to mercuric mercury. Autopsy data from workers exposed to mercury vapor indicate an association between mercury and selenium retention in the central nervous system, suggesting the formation of a merc...

To obtain extracts rich in the organic forms of selenium with putative cancer-preventive properties more effective than those of selenizedyeast, Lentinula edodes mycelia were cultivated in media enriched with selenium at concentrations from 0 to 20 μg mL, by addition of sodium selenite either before inoculation or after three days of mycelial growth. The total selenium content of submerged cult...

Selenium is an essential element that is required to support a number of cellular functions and biochemical pathways. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of reduced dietary selenium levels on gene expression to assess changes in expression of non-selenoprotein genes that may contribute to the physiological consequences of selenium deficiency. Mice were fed diets that were eit...

Selenium compounds exhibit chemopreventative properties at supranutritional doses, but the efficacy of selenium supplementation in cancer prevention is dependent on the chemical speciation of the selenium supplement and its metabolites. The uptake, speciation, and distribution of the common selenoamino acid supplements, selenomethionine (SeMet) and Se-methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys), in A549 hum...

We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the letter from Drs Bekaert and Rayman regarding our recently published article (1) on the association between plasma selenium concentrations and prostate cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Bekaert and Rayman point out that the mean plasma selenium concentration of EPIC participants is lower than th...

Selenium modifies inflammatory reactions in rodents and humans. The liver controls metabolism and transport of selenium via hepatically-derived SEPP (selenoprotein P). Intracellular SEPS (selenoprotein S) modifies endoplasmic-reticulum function and immune-cell activity. Polymorphisms in SEPS have been associated with cytokine levels and inflammatory diseases in a subset of clinical studies. In ...

Selenium is a fundamental importance to human health. It is an essential trace element for major metabolic pathways, since selenium is an essential component of glutathione peroxidase enzyme. Diet is the main source of selenium. Selenoproteins in mammalian cells indicated that essential role of selenium in the body’s antioxidant defense system.