Abstract
Selenium is an element which participates in antioxidant enzymes. A medium and long term lack of such element is associated, mainly, with heart disease, joint and bone structure problems and thyroid activity. Selenium contents in blood reflect its ingestion and food content variation. It depends on soil characteristics, such as pH and selenium presence. There are few studies concerning selenium levels in food and blood in Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine selenium content in a blood donor group in Rio de Janeiro state, conducted from December 2008 to March 2009. From the donated blood to Regional Blood Center of Campos dos Goytacazes, 4.0 mL were submitted to selenium analysis through atomic absorption spectrometry of hydride generation and organic matter oxidation wet basis with nitric and perchloric acid. Selenium content varied from 75 ± 16 ng·g-1 for females and 70 ± 21 ng·g-1 for males. There was no significant difference among selenium contents in blood from donors of different gender, age and residence. Seventy four percent of donors had selenium content in blood below 70 ng·mL-1, the lowest level for maximum selenoproteins production, according to the Nutritional Prevention Cancer.
Highlights
In human beings selenium deficiency is associated with heart diseases, joint and bone structure problems
This study proved that low Selenium content in blood is a risk factor for Myocardial Infarction, as smoking habits [2]
Each donor was aware of the objective of our research and signed an awareness and agreement contract allowing blood sample to be analyzed based on selenium content
Summary
In human beings selenium deficiency is associated with heart diseases, joint and bone structure problems. Two endemic diseases associated with selenium deficiency were described in different regions in China where soils lack this element: Keshan disease, cardiomyopathy which affects women and children; and Kashin Bech, osteoarthritis which affects teenagers. Apart from those, selenium deficiency has been related to losses in anti-inflammatory, immunologic system and antioxidant activities [1], besides coronary diseases in adults, the main cause of death in the world. One study conducted in New Zealand with patients with Myocardial Infarction presented low Selenium levels: 82.8 and 87.9 ng·mL–1 in men, and 82.1 and 88.5 ng·mL–1 in women, respectively. This study proved that low Selenium content in blood is a risk factor for Myocardial Infarction, as smoking habits [2]. People with lower Selenium levels are more vulnerable to diseases such as hypothyroidism [3]
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