Hair Selenium Content Research Articles

Evaluation of the selenium deficiency impact on metabolic parameters of people of working age

Background. Among the population living in Russia, the frequency of selenium deficiency in the body is more than 80%. An unbalanced diet in terms of the level of selenium supply to the body leads to metabolic disorders among the adult population.
 Aim. Study of the relationship between the insufficient level of selenium supply of the body in different periods of the year and changes in body composition, basal metabolism among the adult population aged 2550 years.
 Material and methods. In the autumn, winter and spring periods, the adult population aged 2550 years, living in the Leninogorsk district of the Republic of Tatarstan, of the 1st group of physical activity (n=143, of which 47% were men) was examined. The body composition was assessed using the ABC-01 Medass analyzer for bioimpedansometry. The content of selenium in the hair was studied using an atomic emission spectrometer. An assessment of the obesity and overweight prevalence in the adult population with selenium content below the reference values and the boundaries of the 95% confidence interval was made. Laboratory studies of dishes and foodstuffs for selenium content were carried out using an atomic absorption spectrometer. To assess the actual consumption of food products and dishes, the method of 24-hour (daily) reproduction of nutrition by questioning respondents on a 14-day menu was used. Statistical processing of the studied indicators was performed by the Spearman correlation method, mathematical and centile methods.
 Results. In bioassays with a low level of selenium in the hair (25 centile interval), the largest proportion of subjects with selenium deficiency was noted in autumn in more than 60% of cases, both among men with a 95% confidence interval Z-score=248, and among women with 95% confidence interval Z-score=240, while in spring only 18% and 42% at 95% confidence interval Z-score=72 and 168, respectively. When studying the relationship of selenium content in hair with morphofunctional indicators, significant correlations were found using the Spearman method with body mass index (RNovember=0.389), active cell mass (RFebruary=0.260; RMay=0.318), and basal metabolism (RMay=0.313; RNovember=0.294). Analysis of diets revealed a lack of selenium content in food products and ready-made meals in the autumn-winter period in both men (4046%, n=67) and women (5461%, n=76), in spring-summer period in 35 and 42% of cases, respectively. The lower the level of selenium in the hair (in the body), the higher the body mass index, the lower the active cell mass and the basal metabolism. There is no correlation with fat and skeletal muscle mass. The basic exchange is reduced at an insufficient of selenium supply in the body.
 Conclusion. The results indicate an insufficient intake of selenium in the body with a daily diet and the relationship of body mass index, basal metabolism with an insufficient level of selenium in the body.

A county-level spatial epidemiological study of hair selenium and Keshan disease.

No spatial analysis of hair selenium and Keshan disease (KD) on a nationwide county-level has been performed. Selenium deficiency is a recognized environmental risk factor for KD. Hair selenium is one of the recognized biomarkers of selenium nutrition. This study aimed to perform a geographically precise and visualized assessment of the achievement of KD prevention and control at the level of selenium nutrition in terms of etiology. A spatial ecological study was conducted. The hair selenium content of the residents was assayed using an atomic fluorescence spectrometer. The spatial analysis was performed using ArcGIS. The median of the hair selenium levels of the 3,028 participants in the 1,174 counties was 0.38 mg/kg, and the content of inhabitants in KD endemic counties was significantly lower than that in KD non-endemic counties (0.34 vs. 0.39 mg/kg, z = -10.03, P < 0.0001). The proportion of Se-deficient and Se-marginal counties in KD endemic counties was significantly higher than that in KD non-endemic counties (59.4 vs. 29.0%, z = -7.45, P < 0.0001). The global autocorrelation analysis was not statistically significant (Moran's I = 0.0005, P = 0.68). Local autocorrelation analysis identified 174 low-low clusters of hair selenium levels, 83 (47.7%) of which are KD endemic counties located in KD endemic provinces of Henan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. The hair selenium featured a positive correlation with per capita GDP (r s = 0.20, P < 0.0001). The median of the hair selenium levels of inhabitants living in KD endemic counties was significantly lower than that in KD non-endemic counties. All the 83 KD endemic counties with low-low clusters of hair selenium levels should be prioritized in KD precision prevention and control. These findings are geographically precise and visualized evidence of the assessment of the effectiveness of KD prevention and control at the level of selenium nutrition in terms of etiology.

Hair Trace Elements and Mineral Content in Moroccan Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Case-Control Study.

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) around the world continues to increase while the pathophysiology remains insufficiently elucidated. Genetics, environment, and epigenetic changes are often implicated. Abnormal level in trace elements and minerals is among environmental factors assumed to be involved. The purpose of this article is to assess hair concentrations of toxic and essential elements in children with ASD and children with neurotypical development in the city of Marrakech. Two hundred and twenty-seven children (107 with ASD and 120 controls) aged 3 to 14years old were recruited. The results of analysis by ICP-MS showed a significant decrease in hair levels of copper, zinc, iron, and selenium (25%, 13%, 17%, 11%) of children with ASD. The most significantly reduced concentrations in children with ASD are that of manganese by 34%. Hair aluminum level was significantly elevated by 29% in ASD compared to controls. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that copper, selenium, and iron content in hair were significantly inversely associated with ASD, similarly, hair aluminum content was significantly associated with ASD. Adjusted model for demographic parameters increased the predictive ability of the model, father's age was a significant predictor. In addition, ASD and gender were significant predictors of hair levels of aluminum, selenium, and manganese.These results support the hypothesis of the disparity of trace elements and minerals levels in children with ASD and highlight the potential interest of micronutrient supplementation in the eventual improvement of ASD symptoms. Future research should explore the pathophysiology of these micronutrient deficiencies.

Selenium status of urban residents on the territory of the Crimean peninsula

Introduction. Considering the essential biological role of selenium, including its role in preventing cardiovascular diseases and its widespread deficit in soils, assessing selenium status for Crimean region inhabitants is an actual task. Material and methods. Determination of selenium content in hair as index the of long-term element’s intake into the human body by all pathways were determined by the fluorometric method in 46 inhabitants (18-20 years old) from city Simferopol. Additionally, the selenium was determined in water and food products in Simferopol and nearby residential territories. Results. Selenium content in most residents’ hair varied from 210 to 309 mcg/kg and 12-40% less than the normal range’s lower limit. These results show the selenium deficiency in urban residents from the Crimean region, mainly due to the low content of this element in cereal products and, to a less degree, - in water. However, most food products, which are the primary source of selenium in Crimean inhabitants’ diet, are delivered from other Russian regions. So it’s possible to assess the selenium supply of inhabitants, but it is not possible to make a total conclusion about the selenium status of the region. Conclusion. The revealed deficiency of selenium in Crimean region inhabitants and the literature data about the positive and close relationship between hyposelenosis and the quality of public health requires the extensive monitoring of the selenium content in soils and crop production the Crimean peninsula territory.

Selenium Nutritional Status of Rural Residents and Its Correlation with Dietary Intake Patterns in a Typical Low-Selenium Area in China.

China is recognized as a selenium-deficient country, and nutritional selenium intake has always been a concern. To clarify the current inhabitants’ selenium nutrition status and the characteristics of dietary consumption in low-selenium areas, samples of human hair and grains were collected, and food frequency questionnaires were administered in Binxian County, Shaanxi Province, a typical low-selenium area in the Loess Plateau. The subject number of the study is 85, and the age range is from 11 to 81 years, with an average of 60. The results showed that the average hair selenium content of the residents was 231.7 μg/kg, and 62.4% of the participants had levels higher than the selenium deficiency threshold (200 μg/kg). There was a significant positive correlation between the hair selenium content and the food consumption score after adjusting for rice outsourcing. Three different dietary patterns were noted according to hierarchical cluster analysis. This study provides a tool for assessing the selenium nutrition of inhabitants in low-selenium areas and has considerable significance for improving the dietary pattern of residents.

Hair Selenium Content in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Population.

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient element for human health, and middle-aged and elderly people (age ≥ 45years old) are at higher risk of nutrient deficiency including Se due to their physiological characteristics. This study investigated the hair Se content of middle-aged and elderly people in China with the purpose of providing a reference for prescription of hair Se normal range in this population. In this study, the hair Se content of 2155 middle-aged and elderly people was detected with atomic fluorescence photometry. The participants were recruited from 15 provinces or municipalities spreading from south to north of China with a diverse Se content in soil. Additionally, the relationships between hair Se content with sex, age, and BMI were analyzed. The results found that the median and 95% quantile of hair Se content were 0.36μg/g and 0.60μg/g respectively, with a range of 0.08 to 20.04μg/g in middle-aged and elderly Chinese. The hair Se content mostly concentrated at 0.23~0.48μg/g in 81.11% of participants. The participants in Guangdong and Hunan provinces had the highest hair Se levels (medians were 0.51 and 0.50μg/g, respectively), while Henan and Shaanxi provinces had the lowest levels (medians were 0.30 and 0.29μg/g, respectively). In addition, the Se content of males was higher than that of females (p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between different ages and BMI (p > 0.05). In conclusion, this study found that the hair Se content of middle-aged and elderly Chinese ranges from 0.08 to 20.04μg/g, with median and 95% quantile of 0.36μg/g and 0.60μg/g, respectively. Our results provide a reference for the establishment of hair Se content in this population and suggest that the differences of region and sex should be considered when setting up the range.

Hair Concentration of Selenium in European Bison in Relation to Sex and Age, with Regard to Liver and Kidney Se Levels

The average selenium levels measured in the analyzed European bison individuals (N = 22) were as follows: 0.137±0.041SD μg/g dry weight (DW), 0.175±0.032 and 1.004±0.239 μg/g wet weight (WW) in hair, liver and kidneys, respectively. Broken down by sex, the average hair selenium concentration was 0.140±0.046 and 0.134±0.037 μg/g DW in males and females, respectively. No significant differences in hair selenium content were found in relation to sex. As far as age is concerned, hair selenium content was 0.142±0.042 in calves; in the group of bison over 2 years of age, however, lower levels of selenium (0.126±0.040 μg/g DW) were recorded. There were no significant differences between the age groups in terms of selenium content. Based on our research and current literature data, we could presume selenium deficiency in the studied animals.

Geographic variation of environmental, food, and human hair selenium content in an industrial region of Russia

The objective of the present study was investigation of the selenium (Se) levels in environmental samples, main consumed food products, as well as human hair in the areas of the Orenburg region. Se levels in the environmental objects (water, soil, wheat), frequently consumed food products (wheat bread, ryebread, beef, pork, chicken, milk, cottage cheese), as well as human hair samples in the western (n = 210), central (n = 195), and eastern (n = 120) areas were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry (soil). The obtained data demonstrate that water (87% and 89%), soil (41% and 48%), and wheat (11% and 11%) Se levels Central and Eastern areas were significantly higher than those in the Western area. The level of Se in foods was found to be the highest in the Eastern (wheat bread and beef), Central and Eastern (ryebread and pork), or Central (milk and cottage cheese) areas of the Orenburg region. Hair Se content (0.298 (0.233–0.591) μg/g) as well as dietary Se intake (84.3 (73.7–95.8) μg/day) did not differ significantly between the studied areas. At the same time, regression analysis demonstrated that Se intake with wheat bread (β = 0.634; p = 0.042) was the strongest predictor of hair Se. The revealed associations between environmental and food Se content and Se status of the population underline the necessity of continuous monitoring of Se intake and exposure in order to prevent potential health effects associated with both deficiency and overload.

Selenium Content and/or T-2 Toxin Contamination of Cereals, Soil, and Children's Hair in Some Areas of Heilongjiang and Gansu Provinces, China.

It has been strongly suggested that selenium deficiency and T-2 contamination in cereals are responsible for the development of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). In order to assess these risk factors of KBDin the internal and external environments, our team undertook a two-stage survey in some areas of Heilongjiang and Gansu Provinces, China. The selenium content in children's hair (293), cereal (192), and soil (46) samples were determined using the 2, 3-diamino-naphthalene fluorometric assay technique. The T-2 toxin contamination level in the cereal samples (704) was assayed using an ELISA kit. There were no clinical KBD cases identified in this survey. The selenium statuses of the children in all the investigated regions during the first phase were at the medium selenium nutrition level. During the second phase, the selenium status of the children in Weiyuan County, Ning County, and Shangzhi City was at the medium selenium nutrition level, at the edge of selenium deficiency, and selenium deficient, respectively. Furthermore, the selenium contents in the cereal and soil samples were low. During the first phase, the average T-2 toxin contamination level in the family staple food samples for all the investigated regions was about 10ng/g. However, the T-2 toxin contamination levels in eight homegrown corn samples were higher than 100ng/g. During the second phase, all the average T-2 toxin contamination levels in the flour and corn samples from the three investigated regions were less than 10ng/g. Risk factors that affect the prevalence of KBD still remain in the internal and external environments of some areas in Heilongjiang and Gansu Provinces.

Associations Between Selenium Content in Hair and Kashin-Beck Disease/Keshan Disease in Children in Northwestern China: a Prospective Cohort Study.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between selenium content in hair and the incidence of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and Keshan disease (KD) in China. A prospective cohort study was conducted among children aged 5-12years with different levels of low-selenium (group 1, Se≤110ng/g; group 2, 110<Se≤150ng/g; and group 3, 150<Se≤200ng/g) or selenium-supplemented (group 4, Se >200ng/g) exposure. A person-years approach was used to calculate the incidence and rate of positive clinical signs. Relative risk (RR), attributable risk, and etiologic fraction were used to determine the strength of association between selenium and disease incidence. Seven new KBD cases were diagnosed during 3-year follow-up. Positive clinical signs of KBD were found in 17.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.27-21.29) cases per 100 person-years in group 1, 13.28 (9.82-16.74) in group 2, 12.95 (9.34-16.56) in group 3, and 8.18 (5.50-10.85) in group 4. Compared with group 4, the RR (95% CI) of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 2.17 (1.48-3.19), 1.62 (1.07-2.47), and 1.58 (1.03-2.43), respectively. Positive clinical signs of KD were 25.90 (18.62-33.18) cases per 100 person-years in group 1, 5.66 (1.26-10.06) in group 2, 4.60 (0.20-9.00) in group 3, and 14.62 (8.54-20.69) in group 4. Compared with group 4, the RR (95% CI) were 1.77 (1.07-2.93), 0.39 (0.16-0.93), and 0.31 (0.11-0.89), respectively. In children, the onset of KBD was negatively correlated with selenium content within a certain range. However, there may be a U-shaped association between selenium content and KD in children.

SELENIUM STATUS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN YAROSLAVL REGION

The article presents the assessment results of the selenium status of children living in Yaroslavl city which is situated in a selenium deficient area of the European part of Russia. Hair samples of 201 preschool children (1-6 year-old ) were collected in 2011-2015. Bio-substrate analysis has revealed that median of the essential selenium content in the hair of 1-3 year-old children was 0,67 |jg/g, of 4-6-year-old children - 0,78 |jg/g, which was at the lower edge of the centile intervals for the central part of Russia. 46 % of the surveyed children had low hair selenium content. Additionally, in order to study the role of drinking water in supply of children's body with selenium, concentration of this micro-element in drinking water of the examined preschools was determined. Besides, average daily dose of selenium ingestion with drinking water has been calculated. As a result, it was stated that selenium ingestion with drinking water in preschool children's organism in Yaroslavl was lower than 1% of the essential daily demand.

Тhe content of essential microelements in growth retarded children organism, depending on the short stature degree

Children and teenagers short stature is associated with significant imbalance of essential microelements, in particular, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Chromium, and Copper.Aim of research: a complex study of essential microelements content in children organism suffering from short stature, determination of the possible influence of essential microelements deficits on growth retardation degree.Materials and methods. 240 patients were examined: 166 boys (69.2 %) and 74 girls (30.8 %) aged 3 to 18 years (the average age was 9.65±0.17 years). 206 children and teenagers with different forms of short stature were among them: 144 boys (69.9 %) and 62 girls (30.1 %) with the average age 10.06±0.2 years. All short statured patients were divided into three groups depending on growth retardation degree. The content of microelements in hair was determined by X-Ray fluorescence method using «ElvaX–med» (Ukraine) spectrometer and method for determination of chemical elements mass fraction in hair (МВВ 081/12–450200 method), certified by Ukrainian State Committee of Standardization, Metrology and Certification (Certificate from June, 14, 2007) and proved by the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of Ukraine (Resolution №19 from December, 09, 2008). The content of microelements (Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Chromium, and Copper) in blood plasma was determined by X-Ray fluorescence method using «ElvaX–med» (Ukraine) spectrometer using method of chemical elements measurement in plasma (МВВ 081/12-0468-07), certified by Ukrainian State Committee of Standardization, Metrology and Certification (Certificate from October, 12, 2007) and proved by the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of Ukraine (Resolution №8 from October, 05, 2000).Results. A clear correlation between the growth retardation degree and Zinc content in hair of growth retarded children – with an increase of growth retardation the average level of Zinc in hair of growth retarded children significantly decreases. Any significant difference between the Selenium content in both hair and blood plasma in patients with short stature and different degrees of growth retardation wasn’t found. Considerable reduction of Chromium level in hair and plasma of all patients with short stature comparing with the control group independently of growth retardation degree was found, but any difference between Chromium level indexes in hair of patients with different degrees of growth retardation wasn’t determined. Considerable reduction of Copper level in plasma comparing with the control indexes was determined in children with growth retardation ≥2 SD; any significant difference between indexes depending on growth retardation degree wasn’t determined; the lowest indexes of the Copper content in hair were found at growth retardation ≥3 SD. Manganese level in plasma significantly (but not considerably) is reduced in patients with growth retardation ≥2 SD comparing with patients with growth retardation less than 2 SD, and significantly reduced in relation to the control indexes.Conclusion. Essential microelements imbalance was determined in most short statured patients. The most significant misbalance of was found in Zinc indexes in hair of patients

Effect of short-term zinc supplementation on zinc and selenium tissue distribution and serum antioxidant enzymes.

A significant association between Zn and Se homeostasis exists. At the same time, data on the influence of zinc supplementation on selenium distribution in organs and tissues seem to be absent. Therefore, the primary objective of the current study is to investigate the influence of zinc asparaginate supplementation on zinc and selenium distribution and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in Wistar rats. 36 rats were used in the experiment. The duration of the experiment was 7 and 14 days in the first and second series, respectively. The rats in Group I were used as the control ones. Animals in Groups II and III daily obtained zinc asparaginate (ZnA) in the doses of 5 and 15 mg/kg weight, respectively. Zinc and selenium content in liver, kidneys, heart, muscle, serum and hair was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Serum SOD and GPx activity was analysed spectrophotometrically using Randox kits. Intragastric administration of zinc asparaginate significantly increased liver, kidney, and serum zinc content without affecting skeletal and cardiac muscle levels. Zinc supplementation also stimulated selenium retention in the rats' organs. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between zinc and selenium content was observed. Finally, zinc asparaginate treatment has been shown to modulate serum GPx but not SOD activity. The obtained data indicate that zinc-induced increase in GPx activity may be mediated through modulation of selenium status. However, future studies are required to estimate the exact mechanisms of zinc and selenium interplay.

Salt-Rich Selenium for Prevention and Control Children with Kashin-Beck Disease: a Meta-analysis of Community-Based Trial.

Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in western China is not well controlled. The objective of this study is to evaluate prevention and control children with KBD through a meta-analysis of a community-based trial. Web of knowledge, PubMed, Elsevier, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and Wanfang data had been electronically searchedup to February 2015. Search terms included the trial terms "Salt rich selenium" and "Kashin-Beck disease." Eligible studies were prospective trials of salt-rich selenium in endemic villages. Data extraction was performed by two authors using predefined data fields that also included quality evaluation. Of 292 potentially relevant articles initially screened, reporting 11 community-based trials with a total enrollment of 2652 participants were included, from five provinces in China. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of primary prevention in healthy children were 0.16 and 0.08∼0.33, respectively. The OR and 95% CI of clinical improvement in KBD children were 6.57 and 3.33∼12.93, respectively. The OR of repairing rate of metaphysis lesions was 5.53 (95% CI 2.92∼10.47) based on X-ray film, which was statistically significantly different in favor of salt-rich selenium. The combined standard mean difference (SMD) of selenium content in hair was 2.54 (95% CI 1.21∼3.87) which was significantly higher in selenium group. Current evidence showed that supplement salt-rich selenium was effective in reducing new incidence in healthy children and clinical improvement including repairing metaphysis lesions instead of repairing distal end of phalanx lesions in KBD children.

Hair mercury association with selenium, serum lipid spectrum, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in adults.

The primary objective of the research is to estimate the dependence between hair mercury content, hair selenium, mercury-to-selenium ratio, serum lipid spectrum, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity in 63 adults (40 men and 23 women). Serum triglyceride (TG) concentration in the high-mercury group significantly exceeded the values obtained for low- and medium-mercury groups by 72 and 42%, respectively. Serum GGT activity in the examinees from high-Hg group significantly exceeded the values of the first and the second groups by 75 and 28%, respectively. Statistical analysis of the male sample revealed similar dependences. Surprisingly, no significant changes in the parameters analyzed were detected in the female sample. In all analyzed samples, hair mercury was not associated with hair selenium concentrations. Significant correlation between hair mercury content and serum TG concentration (r = 0.531) and GGT activity (r = 0.524) in the general sample of the examinees was detected. The respective correlations were observed in the male sample. Hair mercury-to-selenium ratios significantly correlated with body weight (r = 0.310), body mass index (r = 0.250), serum TG (r = 0.389), atherogenic index (r = 0.257), and GGT activity (r = 0.393). The same correlations were observed in the male sample. Hg/Se ratio in women did not correlate with the analyzed parameters. Generally, the results of the current study show the following: (1) hair mercury is associated with serum TG concentration and GGT activity in men, (2) hair selenium content is not related to hair mercury concentration, and (3) mercury-to-selenium ratio correlates with lipid spectrum parameters and GGT activity.

The Changing Selenium Nutritional Status of Chinese Residents

The selenium (Se) content in human hair is useful as an indicator of human Se intake and status. In this regard, when measuring the hair Se concentrations in Chinese inhabitants across northeast to southeast China, the results indicated that generally 84% of all residents have normal hair Se content. Between the sexes, the average hair Se content of males was higher than that of females, irrespective of districts. When comparing geographical regions, the average hair Se content of southern residents was greater than that of northern residents, regardless of gender. Historically, the overall hair Se content of today’s inhabitants decreased between 24% and 46% when compared with the inhabitants living in the same geographic region 20 years ago. The decrease of hair Se content may be related to the overall decrease of grain consumption and the lower Se content in the staple food rice.

Selenium Level Surveillance for the Year 2007 of Keshan Disease in Endemic Areas and Analysis on Surveillance Results Between 2003 and 2007

Selenium deficiency is widely accepted as a fundamental cause of Keshan disease (KD). In the present study, the selenium levels of hair and food samples of KD in some endemic areas were measured; the prevalence and incidence of KD for the year 2007 in these areas were surveyed. The results for KD surveillance from 2003 to 2007 were analyzed. The selenium level was measured fluorometrically. In 2007, a total of 19,280 residents were surveyed in 15 provinces. The prevalence and incidence of KD were 3.0% and 4.9‰, respectively. In KD and control subjects, the mean levels of hair selenium were respectively 0.3223 mg/kg and 0.4466 mg/kg. The mean level of staple food selenium was 0.0227 ± 0.0144 mg/kg. During the 5 years, the selenium content in hair was always kept at a normal level within inhabitants of KD-endemic areas, but that in staple food was always kept at a lower level. These results indicate that the pathogenic factor has not been drastically eliminated even with the increasing selenium level of internal environment and is still continually damaging public health of KD in endemic areas. Since KD is still a serious threat to public health in its endemic areas, it is of great importance to pay attention to the prevention and control of this disease.

Changes of selenium, copper, and zinc content in hair and serum of patients with idiopathic scoliosis

Our work aimed at extending the search for abnormalities of trace elements in patients with idiopathic scoliosis to the content of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) in these subject's hair and serum. A total of 59 patients (54 girls and 4 boys) with idiopathic scoliosis, aged 13 on the average (range, 10-18 years), were examined. The degree of spine curvature deformity ranged between 12 degrees and 82 degrees . The hair of scoliotic patients under examination showed significantly increased content of zinc 263 +/- 108 microg/g (p < 0.01) and copper 46.2 +/- 37.1 microg/g (p < 0.01), and decreased content of selenium 0.194 +/- 0.114 microg/g (p < 0.01) in comparison with the control group. In scoliotic patients, the Cu/Zn ratio in hair (0.186 +/- 0.139) did not differ significantly from the values found in the probands of the control group (0.115 +/- 0.09). The Cu/Se ratio in this group of patients (254.9 +/- 215.9) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) due to a higher Cu value and a lower Se value in comparison with the controls (47.9 +/- 23.7). In comparison with controls, the serum selenium concentration in the group of scoliotic patients was significantly decreased p < 0.05 (0.74 +/- 0.13 micromol/L and 0.98 +/- 0.12 micromol/L). Various changes in the content of trace elements in biological samples taken from patients with idiopathic scoliosis are not accidental. What might bring about a shift in our knowledge is speciation of various forms of trace elements in the organism in relation to idiopathic scoliosis.

Macrocytosis and pseudoalbinism: Manifestations of selenium deficiency

Selenium levels were low in four children receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) who developed erythrocyte macrocytosis (3/4), loss of pigmentation of hair and skin (2/4), elevated transaminase and creatine kinase activities (2/4), and profound muscle weakness (1/4). Initial mean selenium levels in serum and hair were 38 +/- 11 (SEM) ng/mL and 0.34 +/- 0.13 micrograms/g, respectively. Mean serum vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin E levels were normal. Intravenous supplementation with selenium was begun daily at 2 micrograms/kg/day. After 3 to 6 months, serum selenium levels rose almost threefold to 81 +/- 22 ng/mL. During this same time, erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume fell from 115 +/- 8 fL to 88 +/- 7 fL in the three children with macrocytosis. After 6 to 12 months of supplementation, hair selenium content had increased threefold to 1.02 +/- 0.19 micrograms/g. The two children with decreased pigmentation became darker skinned and their hair color changed from blonde to dark brown; a third child's hair, which had been blonde, also became darker. Transaminase and creatine kinase activities returned to near normal in those affected and, in the one child with severe myopathy, muscle weakness improved. Erythrocyte macrocytosis and loss of skin and hair pigmentation are previously undescribed manifestations of selenium deficiency. We recommend routine supplementation of TPN solution with selenium to avoid the clinical and biochemical syndrome of selenium deficiency in patients receiving long-term TPN.

Comparison of selenium content in human hair from different individuals in different countries, by76Se(n,γ)77mSe reaction

Samples of hair from 370 subjects were analysed by neutron activation. The samples were taken from residents of nine different countries: Japan, France, Ivory Coast, Brasil, Paraguay, Canary Islands, Papua New Guinea, Italy and New Zealand. The selenium determination was made using the76Se(n,γ)77mSe reaction.