Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate health risks connected with the selenium level in foodstuffs of Mongolia. Meat of domestic animals from 17 provinces of Mongolia (n=142), wheat (n=30), garlic, eggs, blood serum samples from the Dornogovi province of Mongolia (n=40) were obtained to determine the selenium level by fluorimetric method. The Se levels were 105-346 (173±42) µg/kg d.w. in meat of domestic animals, 6-34 (18±10) µg/kg in wheat, 68±2 µg/kg in garlic and 13.14±0.54 µg/100 g in eggs. Contrary to areas of marginal Se deficiency (Moscow region) Mongolia was characterized by elevated Se levels in lung of domestic animals compared to liver concentrations of the element. Calculated Se intake with meat by residents of Mongolia varied from 8.7 to 17 µg/person/day. High concentrations of Cd, Pb and Ni in wheat of Selenge, Tuv and Dornod provinces accordingly, Al in Selenge grain and Ni and Pb in spring garlic of Zavkhan province presented additional health risks for the population. The mean serum Se level of the Dornogovi population was 71±5.7 ?g/l, indicating a lower level of glutathione peroxidase activity. The study revealed that the most pronounced Se deficiency in foodstuffs of Mongolia was typical for the Northern and Eastern provinces of the country. Development of effective program of the Se status optimization in Mongolia should become one of the most important health care intervention priority so as to reduce the ecological risk arising from Se deficiency in Mongolia.
Highlights
Last decades are characterized by an increased interest in environmental distribution of Se because it is directly connected with the wide spectrum of biological activity of the element (Oldfield, 1999)
The objective of this study was to evaluate health risks connected with the selenium level in foodstuffs of Mongolia
Contrary to areas of marginal Se deficiency (Moscow region) Mongolia was characterized by elevated Se levels in lung of domestic animals compared to liver concentrations of the element
Summary
Last decades are characterized by an increased interest in environmental distribution of Se because it is directly connected with the wide spectrum of biological activity of the element (Oldfield, 1999). Se is located in the active site of triiodithyronine deiodinases, participating in thyroid hormone metabolism and affecting the iodine status of the population (Arnaud, Malvy, Richard, Faure, & Chaventre, 2001). Many other Se-proteins determine the biological activity of the element. They are Se-dependant glutathione peroxidases, thioredoxin reductases and other Se-proteins of different location (SelW, SelT, Sel M, Sel P, etc) (Gladishev & Hatfield, 1999). Adequate Se consumption is known to decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, optimizes reproductive function and brain activity, prevent the teratogenic effects exerted by heavy metals (Fairweather-Tait et al, 2011). Adequate Se consumption improves immunity affecting both cell-mediated and humoral components of the immune response (Arthur, McKenzie, & Beckett, 2003) and protecting the organism against viral diseases. Se is supposed to improve human longevity
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