Abstract
Selenium is an essential trace element that occurs in nature, in both inorganic and organic forms. This element participates in numerous biochemical processes, including antioxidant potential, but the mechanism of its anti-cancer action is still not well known. It should be noted that the anti-cancer properties of selenium depends on its chemical form, therapeutic doses, and the tumor type. Higher nutritional doses of selenium can stimulate human immune system. There are several hypotheses concerning the anticancer activity of selenium, including oxidation of sulfhydryl groups in proteins causing their conformational alterations. Conformational changes in proteins have the ability to weaken the activity of enzymes involved in the metabolism of cancer cells. In case of human fibrinogen sodium selenite, but not selenate, it inhibits protein disulfide exchange reactions, thus preventing formation of a hydrophobic polymer termed parafibrin, circulatory accumulation, of which is associated with numerous degenerative diseases. Parafibrin can specifically form a protein coat around tumor cells that is completely resistant to degradation induced with lymphocyte protease. In this way, cancer cells become protected against destruction by the organism’s immune system. Other possible mechanisms of anticancer action of selenium are being still investigated.
Highlights
Over 50 years ago, the US President Richard Nixon initiated a “war” against cancer
The results demonstrated a strong correlation between selenium content and cancer
Selenium compounds are usually cheap, and when given in the right dose, they are harmless to organisms
Summary
Over 50 years ago, the US President Richard Nixon initiated a “war” against cancer. billions of dollars have been spent since that time, and great efforts have been taken in this war, cancer is still present, and except a few forms of cancer (e.g., leukemia in children) morbidity and mortality rates remain at the same level. Such cells usually do not have indicate that cancer cells they are formed constantly in human organisms as a result a chanceRecent for anstudies uncontrolled growth since are quickly recognizable by the native immune of oncogenic activity of external as well as internal factors Such cells usually do not have system, and are effectively eliminated by lymphatic phagocytic cells (so called killer cells) [4]. “foreign” objects, which includes malignant abnormal cells, specialized white blood cells secrete active that proteolytic in the caseenzymes of advanced human cancers,such tumor are resistant to the destructive activity that attack and dissolve cellscells [5] It turned out, that in the case of of lymphocytes, whichcancers, do not tumor eliminate but attack surrounding tissues which of thedo organ. The difference between fibrin and parafibrin is that the latter is completely resistant to proteolytic degradation, and, forms a “shell” on the surface of tumor cells protecting them from destruction by phagocytic cells
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
