Abstract
Dietary selenium (Se)-compounds accumulated in plants are essential for human metabolism and normal physiological processes. Inorganic and organic Se species can be readily absorbed by the human body, but are metabolized differently and thus exhibit distinct mechanisms of action. They can act as antioxidants or serve as a source of Se for the synthesis of selenoproteins. Selenocysteine, in particular, is incorporated at the catalytic center of these proteins through a specific insertion mechanism and, due to its electronic features, enhances their catalytic activity against biological oxidants. Selenite and other Se-organic compounds may also act as direct antioxidants in cells due to their strong nucleophilic properties. In addition, Se-amino acids are more easily subjected to oxidation than the corresponding thiols/thioethers and can bind redox-active metal ions. Adequate Se intake aids in preventing several metabolic disorders and affords protection against viral infections. At present, an epidemic caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) threatens human health across several countries and impacts the global economy. Therefore, Se-supplementation could be a complementary treatment to vaccines and pharmacological drugs to reduce the viral load, mutation frequency, and enhance the immune system of populations with low Se intake in the diet.
Highlights
Selenium (Se), as an intrinsic component of essential selenoproteins, is required in traces for preserving the optimal health and balanced metabolism of mammals [1]
We aim to provide an overview of the Se-compounds that are generated in plants by considering the metabolic processes that lead to their synthesis, the chemical features that make them unique in human biology, and their role as direct and indirect antioxidants in cells, and to support the importance of their consumption as a complementary treatment to vaccines and pharmacological medicines in the context of the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the infectious agent causing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Selenium in crop food is directly related to the level of Se found in the edible parts of crops, which is affected by its concentration and bioavailability in the soil and water
Summary
Selenium (Se), as an intrinsic component of essential selenoproteins, is required in traces for preserving the optimal health and balanced metabolism of mammals [1]. The twenty-five selenoproteins discovered in humans to date play central roles in the cell redox status and antioxidant processes, hormone metabolism, the immune system, and cardiovascular and reproductive functioning maintenance [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. We aim to provide an overview of the Se-compounds that are generated in plants by considering the metabolic processes that lead to their synthesis, the chemical features that make them unique in human biology, and their role as direct and indirect antioxidants in cells, and to support the importance of their consumption as a complementary treatment to vaccines and pharmacological medicines in the context of the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the infectious agent causing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Beyond posing a severe threat to health at the global level, COVID-19 disease provokes tremendous consequences on the world economy
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