Mean Selenium Research Articles

The Relationship between the Serum Level of Selenium and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Comparative Study in a Population of Nigerian Women

Objective:To determine the relationship between the serum level of selenium and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Methods:A case controlled study that compared the serum level of selenium in 45 women with CIN (cases) to 45 women (age matched controls) with normal cervical cytology. Socio-demographic data and information on known risk factors for cervical cancer among the sample was compared between both groups using inferential statistics.Results:There was no significant difference in the mean selenium values between the cases and controls [p- 0.076, 95% CI (-15.08 – 0.76)]. However, subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant difference between patients with normal cervical cytology, CIN I, II and III (p= 0.021). In addition, there was also significant difference in the selenium level between women with normal cervical cytology and CIN III (p value = 0.016) with a significant inverse linear trend (p= 0.025).Conclusion:With increasing severity of CIN, a significant reduction in the level of selenium in serum was observed. This reducing value of serum selenium, a surrogate marker for increased oxidative stress, may be important factor for the development of persistent HPV infection and in particular high grade CIN III lesions. This observation requires further research.

Metal and metalloid levels in blood of semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) from Brazil, Suriname, and Delaware Bay: Sentinels of exposure to themselves, their prey, and predators that eat them

Identifying animals as sentinels for humans and other animal species is an excellent method for understanding exposure to environmental contamination at different times and places. Shorebirds are useful sentinels because they have a world-wide distribution, eat a range of prey, and are eaten by a range of other species, including humans. We collected blood from semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) wintering in northern (Suriname N = 71) and northeastern (Brazil N = 61) South America to examine levels of heavy metals and metalloids (arsenic, selenium), and compare them to blood levels in sandpipers at a heavily used stopover site in New Jersey (N = 30; Delaware Bay, NJ). Since blood represents relatively recent exposure, it can provide information on where and when the birds were exposed. Levels were highest in Brazil for arsenic and particularly selenium; highest in Suriname for cadmium and lead; and highest in New Jersey for chromium. Samples from Brazil and Suriname presented higher levels of mercury than did those from New Jersey. There were no geographic differences for cobalt. Levels of all metals were generally within an order of magnitude. The significant geographic difference for selenium was interesting because it is regulated in the body. Selenium levels in the NJ sample were directly proportional to levels found in their principle food at this migration stopover site (eggs of horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus). Mean selenium level was almost an order of magnitude higher in the semipalmated sandpiper blood samples from Brazil (mean of 27,500 µg/L= ppb) compared to the other sampling locations (mean > 5330 µg/L). This is a toxic level and cause for concern and further investigation, alerting us to look for other evidence of excess selenium exposure. Otherwise the levels of other metals are generally not high enough to cause harm to the sandpipers themselves or to predators that eat them. We discuss the implications for these birds and their exposure to contaminants at different stopover sites.

Selenium levels in hospitalized preterm very low birth weight neonates in North India

Background: Most of the morbidity and mortality of very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates are due to oxidative stress and infection. Selenium can address these issues due to its antioxidant role and synthesis of glutathione peroxidase for scavenging free radicals. Objective: The objective of the study was to find the serum selenium levels in hospitalized preterm VLBW neonates. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in the Neonatal Unit of Department of Paediatrics in a tertiary care hospital, Lucknow, for the duration of 1 year. A total of 126 preterm VLBW neonates admitted within 72 h of birth and having a venepuncture for any reason were enrolled, and those with major congenital abnormality, prior supplementation, and necrotizing enterocolitis on admission were excluded. Blood sample was collected after enrollment in plain vacutainer under aseptic precautions and after ½ h serum was separated by centrifugation. Selenium levels were estimated in serum by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method (Perkin Elmer Optima 8000). Results: Mean birth weight was 1150±210 g and mean gestational age was 30.21±3.76 weeks in our study population. Mean levels of selenium were 9.49±3.49 ?g/dl. Mean selenium levels in neonates with gestational age <30 weeks, 30–32, and >32 weeks were 8.90±3.32, 9.32±3.74, and 10.57±3.15 ?g/dl (p=0.107), respectively. Thus, the selenium levels were seen increasing with an increase in the gestational age. Furthermore, serum selenium level of neonates with birth weight >1 kg (10.08±3.55 ?g/dl) was found to be significantly higher than those with birth weight ?1 kg (8.40±3.12 ?g/dl) (p=0.009). No significant association was seen with birth centiles or gender. Conclusion: Serum selenium levels were significantly lower in preterm neonates with lesser gestational age and lower birth weight although the baseline levels were within normal limits. Thus, the significant difference in levels can be linked with most of the morbidities and mortality in preterm neonates.

Comparison between preterm and full term neonatal cord selenium in correlation to maternal serum selenium levels

BackgroundLower concentrations of selenium and glutathione peroxidase activities have been reported in pregnant women. An exposure to a high oxygen concentration at birth, an infection, inflammation, and a deficient antioxidant system make the newborn more susceptible to oxidative stress that can result in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, persistent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, intracranial hemorrhage, and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, especially in extremely low-birth-weight infants. AimThe current study aimed at the detection and comparison of maternal serum and neonatal umbilical cord selenium levels. MethodsA prospective study on 80 mothers and their healthy neonates (40 full term and 40 preterm) enrolled over the period from June to December 2016. Selenium concentrations were measured in the maternal serum and umbilical cord using a spectrophotometer. ResultsA significantly higher mean selenium level was detected in term neonates than preterm neonates (P = 0.015) with no gender difference but the difference in selenium concentration between their mothers was not significant. No significant relations found between maternal serum selenium levels and maternal age, weight, height, BMI or pregnancy weeks. The maternal serum selenium was positively correlated with the cord selenium in full-term group (r = 0.59 & P = 0.006). Significantly positive correlations between umbilical cord selenium levels in both full-term and preterm neonates with their gestational age and birth weight. ConclusionThis study indicated that cord Se concentration was different in term and preterm neonates being higher in full terms, so we recommend selenium supplementation to preterm neonates and their mothers to avoid sequelae of selenium deficiency on their health and to reach the levels obtained in full term neonates.

Associations of environmental exposures to methylmercury and selenium with female infertility: A case–control study

BackgroundMethylmercury exposure is a common health risk resulting from daily fish intake. However, studies addressing the link between methylmercury and infertility are limited and also inconsistent. In addition, no previous epidemiological studies have accounted for the interaction between methylmercury and selenium. We aimed to investigate the association between environmental exposures to metals and female fertility. MethodsThis case-control study included 98 infertile women receiving fertility treatment (infertile group) and 43 female workers in their thirties (control group) who provided blood samples and returned a questionnaire on lifestyles and dietary characteristics. Blood levels of mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, manganese, zinc, and selenium were compared between the groups. Spearman correlation analyses between anti-Müllerian hormone and the metals were conducted. ResultsThe mean selenium level in blood (± SD) and the selenium/mercury molar ratio were significantly lower in the infertile group (189 ± 25 μg/L and 94.6 ± 44.3, respectively) than in the control group (200 ± 25 μg/L and 118.4 ± 70.5). By contrast, blood mercury levels after adjusting for blood selenium and age were significantly higher in the infertile group than in the control group. Multiple logistic regression analyses with the adjustment for the other metals and potential confounders confirmed significant associations of infertility with elevated mercury and reduced selenium levels. No significant correlations were observed between anti-Müllerian hormone and metals. ConclusionsMethylmercury and selenium exposures appear to have adverse and protective effects on female fertility, respectively. This is the first report to suggest the antagonistic interaction between methylmercury and selenium in relation to human female fertility.

Cross-sectional Study: Relationship Between Serum Selenium and Hypertension in the Shandong Province of China.

Although selenium, which is a necessary trace element for the human body, has been considered to be beneficial to the cardiovascular system and helpful to lower blood pressure, more and more evidence shows that high amounts of selenium are a risk factor for hypertension. A random multistage sampling which included the cluster method was performed; a total of 9076 urban and rural residents between 18 and 80years old in the Shandong province of China were investigated by questionnaire, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The prevalence of hypertension was 42.1% in males and 35.3% in females. The mean (standard deviation) selenium concentration was 124.68 (36.32) μg/l in males and 119.54 (31.88) μg/l in females. After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression analysis showed that the highest selenium levels were associated with a risk of hypertension (OR = 1.192; 95% CI 1.009-1.407) in females, while there was no significant difference in males (OR = 1.043; 95% CI 0.864-1.259). Our findings suggest that high selenium levels in females are more likely to increase the risk of hypertension compared to similar levels in males. More attention should be paid to the metabolic mechanisms and physiological effects of selenium in females.

The Effect of Processing and Seasonality on the Iodine and Selenium Concentration of Cow's Milk Produced in Northern Ireland (NI): Implications for Population Dietary Intake.

Cow’s milk is the most important dietary source of iodine in the UK and Ireland, and also contributes to dietary selenium intakes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of season, milk fat class (whole; semi-skimmed; skimmed) and pasteurisation on iodine and selenium concentrations in Northern Ireland (NI) milk, and to estimate the contribution of this milk to consumer iodine and selenium intakes. Milk samples (unpasteurised, whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed) were collected weekly from two large NI creameries between May 2013 and April 2014 and were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Using milk consumption data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) Rolling Programme, the contribution of milk (at iodine and selenium concentrations measured in the present study) to UK dietary intakes was estimated. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) iodine concentration of milk was 475.9 ± 63.5 µg/kg and the mean selenium concentration of milk was 17.8 ± 2.7 µg/kg. Season had an important determining effect on the iodine, but not the selenium, content of cow’s milk, where iodine concentrations were highest in milk produced in spring compared to autumn months (534.3 ± 53.7 vs. 433.6 ± 57.8 µg/kg, respectively; p = 0.001). The measured iodine and selenium concentrations of NI milk were higher than those listed in current UK Food Composition Databases (Food Standards Agency (FSA) (2002); FSA (2015)). The dietary modelling analysis confirmed that milk makes an important contribution to iodine and selenium intakes. This contribution may be higher than previously estimated if iodine and selenium (+25.0 and +1.1 µg/day respectively) concentrations measured in the present study were replicable across the UK at the current level of milk consumption. Iodine intakes were theoretically shown to vary by season concurrent with the seasonal variation in NI milk iodine concentrations. Routine monitoring of milk iodine concentrations is required and efforts should be made to understand reasons for fluctuations in milk iodine concentrations, in order to realise the nutritional impact to consumers.

Zinc and selenium status in critically ill patients according to severity stratification.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of zinc and selenium in different biological materials and to associate them with the clinical severity score according to the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) III. The study was conducted in a 10-bed general intensive care unit of the Américo Brasiliense State Hospital/SP, with 95 patients stratified by the SAPS III score cutoff points (63.5 points) as less or more severe and by the diagnosis of sepsis. Analyses of zinc and selenium concentrations in plasma, erythrocytes, and urine were conducted. Plasma concentrations were found to be lower than the reference values for both micronutrients (8.4±4 and 0.18±0.06μmol/L, respectively, for zinc and selenium), and urinary zinc concentration was higher than the reference (38.6±35.8μmol/24h). The mean selenium plasma concentration was significantly lower in patients with greater severity, which was not observed for zinc (P>0.05). The mean selenium plasma and erythrocyte concentrations were significantly different between the groups diagnosed with sepsis, which was not observed in the analysis of zinc. Albumin levels (r=-0.26; P=0.01) and C-reactive protein (r=0.40; P<0.001) correlated with the SAPS III severity score. Plasma concentrations of zinc and selenium are low in critically ill patients upon admission to the intensive care unit and may make these patients more susceptible to oxidative stress. The low concentration of erythrocyte selenium may represent an inadequate intake by this population. Additional studies using new biomarkers should be performed with the objective of identifying values for the local population.

Stężenie selenu w narządach i tkankach psa domowego (Canis lupus familiaris) z terenu północno-zachodniej Polski

Wstęp: Selen (Se) jest składnikiem enzymów oksydoredukcyjnych i cytochromów. Wpływa również na wzrost i proliferację komórek oraz jest niezbędny doprawidłowego funkcjonowania układu immunologicznego. Celem badań było oznaczenie stężenia selenu w wątrobie, nerkach, płucach, sercu i tkance mięśniowej psa domowego (Canis lupus familiaris) z terenu północno-zachodniej Polski.Materiały i metody: Próbki narządów i tkanek pobrano od 15 psów w wieku od 1 miesiąca do 17 lat. Dieta zwierząt była podobna do diety człowieka, z niewielką ilością komercyjnej karmy. Stężenia selenu były oznaczane metodą spektrofluorymetryczną.Wyniki: Największe średnie stężenie Se u badanych psów stwierdzono w nerkach (0,57 ±0,42 mg/kg mokrej masy – m.m.), a najmniejsze w mięśniach (0,11 ±0,09 mg/kg m.m.). Średnie stężenie Se w badanych narządach i tkankach psów można ułożyć w następujący szereg: nerki&gt;wątroba&gt;płuca&gt;serce&gt;mięśnie.Wnioski: U 75% badanych psów wartości stężenia Se w badanych materiałach znajdowały się poniżej optymalnego poziomu, co świadczy o niedoborze Se. Wyniki sądowodem na to, że dieta psów bardzo podobna do diety ludzkiej nie jest wystarczająca dla optymalnego poziomu Se w organizmach zwierząt.

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) as bioindicators of environmental levels of selenium in Poland

The objective of the study was to determine selenium content in selected organs (liver, kidney) of wild boars from different regions of Poland. Materials for the study were obtained from 28 sites located in 16 provinces of Poland. Selenium concentrations in organs were determined using spectrofluorometric methods after wet mineralization in HNO3 and HClO4 mixture. Mean selenium concentrations in the investigated wild boars from Poland were 0.230 μg/g wet weight in the liver and 1.327 μg/g w.w. in the kidneys. Hepatic and nephric Se concentrations ranged from 0.036-0.626 μg/g w.w. and 0.322-4.286 μg/g w.w., respectively. Selenium concentrations in the wild boars differed considerably according to geographical location. Concentrations of selenium were highest in wild boars from south-eastern provinces and lowest in animals from northern provinces. Most of Poland's area is environmentally deficient in this trace element, as evidenced by marginal selenium levels in the organs of the wild boars.

Adequacy of energy, zinc and selenium intakes among adult inpatients receiving total naso-gastric tube feeding admitted to a Copperbelt province Referral Hospital, in Ndola District, Zambia

Poor hospital outcomes among adult patients admitted to hospitals have been attributed to inadequate nutrient intake and progressive disease conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the adequacy of the intake of energy, zinc and selenium among adult inpatients receiving hospital prepared total naso-gastric blended tube feeding (NGTF). This was a cross-sectional study that adopted quantitative approaches in data collection, analysis and presentation. A comprehensive sample of 113 adult patients, 20–65 years of age who had been on total NGTF in the previous 24 h participated in the study. Nutrient adequacy for individual patients was established using the Harris Benedict equation (HBE) and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) daily recommendations for zinc and selenium intakes. A researcher-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-economic and medical characteristics. Fourteen pairs of hospital prepared NGTFs were sampled weekly for 3 months and analysed for total energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, zinc and selenium content using AOAC international methods. Mean total energy, zinc and selenium content for NGTF was 126.9 ± 67.0 Cal/100 ml (64.6 % carbohydrate, 23.1 % protein and 12.3 % fat), 0.13 ± 0.01 mg/100 ml and 0.09 ± 0.02 μg/100 ml respectively and this content varied significantly among the paired samples (p < 0.05). Mean volume intake of NGTF was 257.1 ± 273.0 ml/day given through scheduled gravity feeding. This resulted in a mean total energy intake of 326.5 ± 346.7 Cal/day (5.5 Cal/Kg/day), mean carbohydrate intake of 210.9 ± 223.9 Cal/day, mean protein intake of 0.3 g/Kg/day, with zinc at 0.34 ± 0.24 mg/day and selenium at 0.23 ± 0.24 μg/day. The mean total energy, protein, zinc and selenium intakes were significantly lower than the recommended values (p < 0.05). All participants had inadequate zinc and selenium intakes while only 0.88 % had adequate energy intake. In this study, there was evidence of inconsistent supply of energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, zinc and selenium to patients on naso-gastric tube feeds. Since inconsistency in supply of nutrients is associated with poor hospital outcomes, it is recommended that commercial tube formulas with known and predictable nutrient amounts be used.

Serum trace elements in childhood anemia: A prospective case control study

Aim: To study the serum copper, zinc and selenium levels in children with iron deficiency anemia in comparison with healthy controls. Methods: A prospective case control study was conducted over a period of 18 months in a tertiary care chil- dren's hospital to study the serum copper, zinc and selenium levels in children with iron deficiency anemia in comparison with healthy controls. A total of 35 children with anemia and 35 controls were enrolled for the study. Results: The normal serum copper, zinc and selenium levels were 510-1530 µg/L, 600-1200 µg/L and 55-130 µg/L respectively. Mean serum copper, zinc and selenium levels in children with anemia were 1589 ± 529.7, 568 ± 252.8 and 71 ± 41.5 µg/L respectively and in controls the levels were 892 ± 368.3, 890 ± 213.9 and 102 ± 39.2 µg/L (P < 0.05) showing decreased serum zinc and selenium levels and increased copper levels in children with iron deficiency anemia than controls. Conclusion: This study shows that serum zinc and selenium levels are decreased and serum copper levels are increased in children with iron deficiency anemia than controls.

The Effects of Soil Chemical Characteristics on Accumulation of Native Selenium by Zea mays Grains in Maize Belt in Kenya

Background: Selenium which is an-antioxidant is important for human health enters food chain through crops. Both total amount of selenium in soil and its speciation determines the concentration in food crops. In Kenya Zea mays is consumed by 96% of population hence is a cheap and convenient method to provide selenium to large number of population. Soil chemical factors are known to have antagonistic effects on selenium speciation hence the uptake by Zea mays. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the four soil chemical characteristics (pH, Tcarbon, CEC, Eh) on accumulation of selenium in Zea mays grains in Maize the Belt in Kenya. Research Methods: About 100 Zea mays grain samples together with 100 soil samples were collected from the study site, put in separate labeled Ziplocs and were transported to laboratories at room temperature for analysis. Maize grains were analyzed for selenium while soil samples were analyzed for pH, Cat Ion Exchange Capacity, Total carbon, and Electrical conductivity. Results: The mean selenium in Zea mays grains varied from 1.82 ± 0.76 mg/Kg to2 .11±0.86 mg/Kg.There was no significant difference between selenium levels between different grain batches {χ (Df =76) = 26.04 P= 1.00}. The pH levels varied from 5.43± 0.58 to 5.85± 0.32. No significant correlations between selenium in grains and soil pH (Pearson’s correlations = - 0.143) was observed. There was no signicant correlations between selenium levels in grains and the four (pH, Tcarbon, CEC,Eh) soil chemical characteristics {F (4,91) = 0.721 p = 0.579} was observed. Conclusion: Using the native selenium accumulation in Zea mays grains as proxy-indicator of selenium speciation in the soil, it can be concluded that the soil chemical characteristics in the study site did not significantly affect the speciation of available selenium species and hence accumulation of native selenium.

Micronutrient levels and antioxidant status in pediatric cerebral palsy patients

Background: Micronutrients such as coper, zinc and selenium are essential to the functioning of the nervous system and their deficiencies is a critical concern for cerebral palsy children. The aim of this study was to investigate micronutrient levels and antioxidant status in pediatric cerebral palsy patients and compare them to neurologically normal children in Accra, Ghana. Method: Twenty seven patients with cerebral palsy (0-14 years) and 17 age-bracket matched neurological normal controls were recruited. Three milliliters of venous blood was drawn from each participant into an EDTA tube and transferred on ice to the laboratory. Activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as micronutrient status for copper, zinc and selenium were analyzed. Results: About 86.2% of cases (n = 25/29) compared to 11.7% of controls (n= 2/17) had copper concentrations below the normal physiologic range; mean copper concentration was significantly lower in cases than in control. Serum zinc levels were normal in only 20.1% (n = 6/29) of cases, but in 59% (n = 10/17) of controls; however, mean concentration of zinc was not statistically different among. Selenium concentration below normal physiologic range was recorded to be about 94% in both cases (n = 27/29) and controls (n = 16/17); but the mean selenium concentration was significantly higher in cases compared to control. Also, the mean SOD activity was significantly lower in cases than in controls. Moreover, negative correlation was observed between the age of children with cerebral palsy and SOD levels. Conclusion: Copper, zinc and selenium deficiencies contributed disproportionately to oxidative stress and this may be a common feature in Ghanaian children with cerebral palsy. There is the need for micronutrient supplementation.

Clinical and haematological study of lactating cattle, reared around a thermal power plant, showing horn and hoof abnormalities

The present study was aimed to assess clinic-haematological changes in cows showing hoof and horn abnormalities, reared around Koradi Thermal Power Plant, Nagpur, Maharashtra (India). Hoof and horn abnormalities are usually attributed to selenium toxicity. Twenty cows were randomly selected within a radius of 5 km of thermal power plant. Blood, urine and milk samples were analyzed for haemato-biochemical changes. Also, the selenium level was estimated and compared with control samples taken from Deolapar Cattle Farm and Agriculture College Dairy Farm (located within the same agro-climatic conditions but away from the impact area of fly ash). Mean selenium value in blood of exposed animals was insignificantly higher than unexposed animals while selenium in urine and milk of exposed cows was significantly higher than control though within the permissible range. The haemato-biochemical parameters viz., haemoglobin, AST, ALT, serum creatinine and BUN of exposed cows were insignificantly less than control cows. Air, water, soil and fodder samples, collected from the study area, showed the selenium level of 3 ng m−3, 0.001±0.002 ppm, -0.593 ppm and 1.25±0.20 ppm, respectively. It appears that the selenium level in impact area has not reached to the level that may develop selenium toxicity like sloughing of horns, weakness and hoof deformity; and the symptoms observed are due to the factor other than selenium toxicity.

Selenium Content in Selected Organs of Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) as a Criterion to Evaluate Environmental Abundance of this Element in Poland

Due to the fact that a considerable part of Europe, including some regions of Poland, isconsidered to be deficient in selenium, it seems necessary to develop a selenium map for different regions of Poland, which will be used in future to prepare a prophylaxis programme against selenium deficiency inanimals. The aim of the study was to determine selenium content in selected organs (liver and kidneys) of roe deer from different regions of Poland as an indirect method of assessing environmental abundance of this element. Material for the study was collected from 28 sites located in 15 provinces of Poland. Seleniumconcentrations in organs were determined using spectrofluorometric methods. Mean selenium concentration in roe deer from Poland was 0.088 μg/g wet weight (w.w.) in liver and 0.503 μg/g w.w. in kidneys. Organ selenium concentrations in the studied animals varied considerably according to geographical location. Most areas of Poland are deficient in environmental selenium, as evidenced by the low content of this element in the organs of roe deer.

Optimization of selenylation conditions for a pectic polysaccharide and its structural characteristic

CPP1b is a pectic polysaccharide isolated from Codonopsis pilosula, and it possesses potent antitumor activity. In this study, a HNO3–Na2SeO3 method was performed to synthesize selenium–CPP1b (sCPP1b). The effects of BaCl2 usage amount and HNO3 concentration on the yield and selenium content of sCPP1b were investigated by single-factor experiments. Reaction time, reaction temperature and the ratio of polysaccharide to Na2SeO3 were optimized by orthogonal experimental design at three levels of each of the three factors (L9(3)4) based on antitumor activity, selenium content and yield of sCPP1b. Our results showed that 5h of reaction time, 60°C of reaction temperature, and 2:2 ratio of polysaccharide to Na2SeO3 were the optimal selenylation modification conditions. The validation experiments completed under the optimal conditions gave the mean selenium content and yield of sCPP1b were 478.17μg/g (RSD=5.7%) and 595mg/g (RSD=1.6%), respectively. Selenylation modification can significantly increase the antitumor activity of CPP1b in vitro. The structural characterization of sCPP1b was further characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and high-performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering. These structure analysis results indicated that sCPP1b has been successfully selenylation modified with similar structure to polysaccharide of CPP1b.

Serum selenium in relation to measures of glucose metabolism and incidence of Type 2 diabetes in an older Swedish population

The relation between selenium status and risk of Type2 diabetes is controversial. We aimed to evaluate associations of serum selenium, a marker of dietary selenium, with measures of glucose metabolism and risk of diabetes. We used data from a population-based, longitudinal cohort of 1925 Swedish men who were 50years old and did not have diabetes at baseline in the 1970s. At baseline, an intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed and, at a follow-up examination after 20years, an oral glucose tolerance test and a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp for the assessment of insulin sensitivity were conducted. At baseline, the mean (standard deviation) selenium concentration was 75.6 (14.3) μg/l. During 20years of follow-up, 88 incident cases of diabetes occurred in 1024 participants with follow-up data. Baseline serum selenium levels were not associated with risk of diabetes (odds ratio1.06; 95%CI 0.83-1.38). Higher selenium levels were associated with lower early insulin response (standardized β -0.08; 95%CI -0.14 to -0.03) at baseline after adjusting for potential confounders, but not with any other measures of β-cell function or insulin sensitivity at baseline or follow-up. The association with early insulin response was non-significant after taking multiple testing into account. Our results do not support a role of dietary selenium in the development of disturbances in glucose metabolism or diabetes in older individuals.

Selenium Fortification of an Italian Rice Cultivar via Foliar Fertilization with Sodium Selenate and Its Effects on Human Serum Selenium Levels and on Erythrocyte Glutathione Peroxidase Activity

Selenium food fortification could be a cost-effective strategy to counteract the inadequacy of selenium intake among the Italian population. In this study, the effect of foliar fertilization with sodium selenate of an Italian rice cultivar and the increase of serum selenium and of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity after intake of fortified rice, have been evaluated. The effect of foliar fertilization with sodium selenate (50 g Se/ha) vs. water was studied. Moreover, in a randomized, double-blind study, 10 healthy women supplemented their usual diet with a daily dose of 80 g of Se-enriched-rice and 10 matched-women with 80 g of regular rice. Before, after 5 and 20 days of supplementation, serum Se and GPx-activity were evaluated. The mean selenium content in Se-enriched-rice was 1.64 ± 0.28 μg/g, while in regular rice it was 0.36 ± 0.15 μg/g (p < 0.001). A significant increase of serum Se and GPx-activity was observed only in the intervention group and only after 20 days. The results show that selenium fortification of rice can be achieved with foliar fertilization with sodium selenate and that the 20 days intake of this Se-enriched-rice increases the serum selenium levels and GPx-activity.

Serum selenium status in Graves’ disease with and without orbitopathy: a case–control study

Selenium is effective in improving quality of life and reducing the progression of active Graves' orbitopathy. The effect of correcting relative selenium deficiency on improving Graves' orbitopathy is unknown, as baseline selenium levels have not previously been measured. The study aims to determine whether serum selenium levels are reduced in patients with Graves' disease with orbitopathy (GO) compared with without orbitopathy (GD). A prospective, case-control study performed between 2009 and 2012 at endocrine and ophthalmology clinics in Australia. A total of 198 patients with Graves' disease participated in the study: 101 with Graves' orbitopathy and 97 without Graves' orbitopathy. Serum selenium levels in both groups. Mean serum selenium levels were significantly lower in GO (1·10 ± 0·18 μm) than in GD (1·19 ± 0·20 μm) (P = 0·001). Mean selenium levels appeared to decrease in parallel with increasing severity of GO; selenium level was 1·19 ± 0·20 μm in GD, 1·10 ± 0·19 μm in moderate-to-severe GO and 1·09 ± 0·17 μm in sight-threatening GO (P = 0·003). Serum selenium levels remained significantly lower in GO after adjusting for age, smoking status, thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine treatment and residential location. Serum selenium levels are lower in patients with GO compared with GD in an Australian study population with marginal selenium status. Relative selenium deficiency may be an independent risk factor for orbitopathy in patients with Graves' disease.