Whole Blood Selenium Levels Research Articles

Effects of Sodium Selenite Injection on Serum Metabolic Profiles in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema-Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial Using Global Metabolomics.

In our previous study, intravenous (IV) injection of selenium alleviated breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). This secondary analysis aimed to explore the metabolic effects of selenium on patients with BCRL. Serum samples of the selenium-treated (SE, n = 15) or the placebo-controlled (CTRL, n = 14) groups were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS). The SE group showed a lower ratio of extracellular water to segmental water (ECW/SW) in the affected arm to ECW/SW in the unaffected arm (arm ECW/SW ratio) than the CTRL group. Metabolomics analysis showed a valid classification at 2-weeks and 107 differential metabolites were identified. Among them, the levels of corticosterone, LTB4-DMA, and PGE3—which are known anti-inflammatory compounds—were elevated in the SE group. Pathway analysis demonstrated that lipid metabolism (glycerophospholipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, or arachidonic acid metabolism), nucleotide metabolism (pyrimidine or purine metabolism), and vitamin metabolism (pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, vitamin B6 metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism) were altered in the SE group compared to the CTRL group. In addition, xanthurenic acid levels were negatively associated with whole blood selenium level (WBSe) and positively associated with the arm ECW/SW. In conclusion, selenium IV injection improved the arm ECW/SW ratio and altered the serum metabolic profiles in patients with BCRL, and improved the anti-inflammatory process in lipid, nucleotide and vitamin pathways, which might alleviate the symptoms of BCRL.

The Association Between Trace Elements Exposure and the Cognition in the Elderly in China.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), thallium (Tl), and vanadium (V) levels in whole blood and the cognitive ability of people over 60years old. A total of 1217 eligible participants were enrolled in our study in Lu'an city, Anhui province, China. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the concentration of nine trace elements in the whole blood, which reflect their exposure levels. Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) scale was employed to screen the cognitive function of the elderly. Logistic regression was applied to assess the associations of nine whole blood trace elements with cognition. In the work, it has found that high levels of whole blood As and Se are risk factors for cognitive dysfunction. As and Se quartile were correlated with increased risk of cognitive dysfunction, and with the odds ratio (OR) of 2.06 (95% CI 1.30-3.25; p-trend = 0.002), 1.947 (95% CI 1.20-3.17; p-trend = 0.007) in the highest quartile. However, high concentration of Al, V, and Ba in whole blood were protective factors for cognitive function [OR = 0.63 (95% CI 0.40-0.98; p-trend = 0.040), 0.549 (95% CI 0.36-0.85; p-trend = 0.007), 0.460 (95% CI 0.28-0.75; p-trend = 0.002) respectively]. The study suggested that the exposure of some trace elements (As, Se) were associated with the increased risk of cognitive dysfunction; on the contrary, other elements (Al, V, Ba) could be protective factor for cognitive function. These findings need to be confirmed in additional research of a large elderly population.

Investigation of Blood Selenium and Zinc in Type2 Diabetes with TCF7L2 (rs7903146 C/T) Genotypes

TCF7L2 (rs7903146) as one of the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism, is one of the associated genes with type 2 diabetes. This case-control study was performed on the whole blood of 87 patients with type 2 diabetes and 45 healthy people. Selenium and zinc concentrations in whole blood were measured using flameless atomic-absorption spectrometry. The genotype of TCF7L2 was achieved by real-time PCR and high-resolution melt (HRM). In order to data analyzing, the t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. The difference of zinc levels and also selenium levels in whole blood for both healthy (Zinc: 164.75 μgr dL-1, selenium: 140.71 μgr L-1) and patients (Zinc: 136.77 μgr dL-1, selenium: 111.66 μgr L-1) groups was significant (P-value <0.05). The different levels of zinc and selenium in healthy genotype group (TT, CT, CC) and type 2 diabetic patient genotype (TT, CT, CC) group was also significant (P-value <0.05). The presence of the T allele as a risk factor led to reducing zinc levels in healthy subjects. Significant reduction in zinc in the diabetic CT versus healthy CC and in diabetic TT versus healthy CT can be considered as a result of the T allele risk. Amount of selenium in TT genotype in both control group and diabetic patients was reduced.

The effect of dietary vitamin E level on selenium status in rats

The effect of varying levels of dietary vitamin E on selenium status was determined using 40 Wistar rats with similar initial body weight. The rats were equally divided into four groups and fed the following dietary treatments (mgvitaminE/kgDM): 18 (control; C-diet), 0 (0E-diet), 9 (0.5E-diet) and 36 (2E-diet) for either 4-week (Phase 1) or 8-week (Phase 2) period. At the end of experiment, animals were slaughtered to measure vitamin E and selenium levels in the brain, liver, spleen, kidney, muscles and blood tissues. Dietary vitamin E levels did not affect feed and water intake and body weight. But whole-blood selenium concentration in rats fed 0E-diet was higher than in rats fed 2E-diet after 4weeks. Selenium level in muscle, spleen and brain was also higher (p<0.05) in rats fed the 0E-diet than in rats fed C-diet after 4weeks of feeding. On the other hand, selenium level in the muscle was lower (p<0.05) in rats fed 0.5E-diet than in those fed 0E-diet after 4weeks of feeding, but not after 8weeks of feeding. Increasing dietary vitamin E level directly influenced selenium content of the spleen and brain after 8weeks of feeding 2E-diet. Moreover, the twofold increase in vitamin E intake resulted in a tendency to reduce whole-blood selenium level and total selenium in the liver and kidney after 4 and 8weeks. The results showed that the increasing dietary vitamin E level resulted in a tendency to reduce Se contents in some vital organs of the body such as the liver and kidney, suggesting their close compensatory interrelationship. Therefore, dietary vitamin E level directly influenced selenium metabolism in the animal body.

Influence of Selenium and Mercury on Age-Related Cataracts in the Brazilian Amazon

In their article, Lemire et al. (2010) provided important data on the frequency of age- related cataracts among adults in the Brazilian Amazon and found a correlation between age-related cataracts and whole-blood total mercury (Hg) concentrations and selenium (Se) levels in plasma and whole blood. However, in the “Discussion” of their paper, they stated that they “observed no adverse effects although Se concentrations were very high, reaching 1,500 μg/L for [blood]-Se and 913 μg/L for [plasma]-Se” (Lemire et al. 2010). However, they did not mention the potential and substantial adverse health effects associated with a high body Se burden. There are potentially adverse consequences to Se body burden, such as hair loss (alopecia), tooth decay, nail changes, peripheral paresthesias, weakness, skin lesions, and diabetes (Hira et al. 2004; Nuttall 2006; Shearer 1975; Stranges et al. 2010; Sutter et al. 2008; Yang et al. 1983). It would be valuable to know what Se-related adverse effects were observed by Lemire et al. (2010). Most studies, taken together, suggest a possible attenuation of Hg toxicity, probably as insoluble form of Hg selenide (Clarkson 2002; International Programme on Chemical Safety 1990). Selenium may be able to delay the onset of toxic effects in animal models exposed to methylmercury in the diet (Clarkson 2002; Ganther et al. 1972). However, the Hg–Se interaction may not have an equivalent effect in some animals. There is evidence that coadministration of methylmercury and Se may lead to an important synergistic effect (Heinz and Hoffman 1998). In studies of persons who have been co-exposed to Hg and Se, toxic effects of Se should be taken into account to discover the potential synergistic effect between Se and Hg.

Whole blood selenium levels (WBSL) in patients with prostate cancer (PC), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and healthy male inhabitants (HMI) and prostatic tissue selenium levels (PTSL) in patients with PC and BPH

Background. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant differences exist between whole blood selenium levels (WBSL) in patients with prostate cancer (PC), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), healthy male inhabitants (HMI) in northern Bavaria and the normal value. Furthermore, we investigated whether differences exist between prostatic tissue selenium levels (PTSL) in patients with PC, BPH and the benign tissue surrounding the PC. Material and methods. We prospectively evaluated WBSL in 24 patients with PC, 21 patients with BPH, and 21 HMI. Measurements of PTSL were performed in 17 patients with PC and 22 patients with BPH. In 9 cases with PC, measurements were also done in the benign tissue surrounding the carcinoma. Measurements were performed using automated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results. In patients with PC, there is a significantly lower WBSL in comparison to HMI (p=0.04). There is no significant difference in WBSL between BPH-patients and HMI (p=0.13) and between PC- and BPH-patients (p=0.67). In all patients and the HMI, there is a significantly lower WBSL in comparison to the recommended normal value of 85 – 162 µg/l (p<0.01). There is no significant difference in PTSL between PC and BPH (p=0.49), and between PC and the tissue compartment surrounding the PC (p=0.56). PTSL seemed to be reduced in the compartment surrounding the PC in comparison to BPH (p=0.03). In PC-patients, there is no significant correlation between WBSL and prostate specific antigen (PSA) (?=−0.20; p=0.36), Gleason score (?=0.32, p=0.13), and T-stage (?=0.22; p=0.23). Conclusion. Since the WBSL measured in all men with PC and BPH, and in HMI participating in our study were significantly lower than the recommended normal range, our findings may support the recommendation of selenium supplementation.

Selenium supplementation during radiation therapy for solid tumours—Laboratory findings of a phase III trial on gynaecological and ENT tumours

Background Selenium is an essential cofactor of glutathione peroxidase and is responsible for the body's metabolism of free radicals. Reduced activity of this enzyme system is associated with increased toxicity of radiation therapy (RT) for tumours. Materials and methods In a randomized phase III trial, whole-blood and serum selenium levels in 127 patients with confirmed selenium deficiency (81 gynaecological tumours and 42 ENT tumours) were measured before, during, and after RT by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy. A total of 63 patients (median age: 63.83±9.23 years) received oral selenium supplementation in the form of 500 μg sodium selenite on RT days and 300 μg on non-RT days (weekends, public holidays, and equipment failure). Sixty-four patients (median age: 63.03±10.47 years) served as the control group. Both groups were comparable with regard to tumour entity and tumour stage. The following ranges, which are recommended for Germany, were defined as normal: whole-blood selenium 85–162 μg/l; serum selenium: 65–135 μg/l. Results The following levels were measured in whole blood (selenium group vs. control group, U test): start RT 64.17±13.98 μg/l vs. 64.50±14.47 μg/l ( p =0.869); mid-RT 92.48±26.68 μg/l vs. 65.80±18.04 μg/l ( p p p =0.183). The follow levels were measured in serum: start RT 59.18±13.49 μg/l vs. 61.99±15.72 μg/l ( p =0.427); mid-RT 104.75±31.41 μg/l vs. 62.37±16.23 μg/l ( p p p =0.170). Conclusion Selenium supplementation using 500-μg doses of sodium selenite was sufficient to compensate for an existing selenium deficiency during RT for solid tumours. However, this does not guarantee a durable correction of selenium status in the absence of continued supplementation.

Selenium in Intensive Care (SIC): Results of a prospective randomized, placebo-controlled, multiple-center study in patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock*

Sepsis is associated with an increase in reactive oxygen species and low endogenous antioxidative capacity. We postulated that high-dose supplementation of sodium-selenite would improve the outcome of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Prospective randomized, placebo-controlled, multiple-center trial. Eleven intensive care units in Germany. Patients were 249 patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock and an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score >70. Patients received 1000 microg of sodium-selenite as a 30-min bolus injection, followed by 14 daily continuous infusions of 1000 microg intravenously, or placebo. The primary end point was 28-day mortality; secondary end points were survival time and clinical course of APACHE III and logistic organ dysfunction system scores. In addition, selenium levels in serum, whole blood, and urine as well as serum glutathione-peroxidase-3 activity were measured. From 249 patients included, 11 patients had to be excluded. The intention-to-treat analysis of the remaining 238 patients revealed a mortality rate of 50.0% in the placebo group and 39.7% in the selenium-treated group (p = .109; odds ratio, 0.66; confidence interval, 0.39-1.1). A further 49 patients had to be excluded before the final analysis because of severe violations of the study protocol. In the remaining 92 patients of the study group, the 28-day mortality rate was significantly reduced to 42.4% compared with 56.7% in 97 patients of the placebo group (p = .049, odds ratio, 0.56; confidence interval, 0.32-1.00). In predefined subgroup analyses, the mortality rate was significantly reduced in patients with septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation (n = 82, p = .018) as well as in the most critically ill patients with an APACHE III score > or =102 (>75% quartile, n = 54, p = .040) or in patients with more than three organ dysfunctions (n = 83, p = .039). Whole blood selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase-3 activity were within the upper normal range during selenium treatment, whereas they remained significantly low in the placebo group. There were no side effects observed due to high-dose sodium-selenite treatment. The adjuvant treatment of patients with high-dose sodium-selenite reduces mortality rate in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Selenium levels in biological matrices in adult population of Mumbai, India.

Selenium (Se) levels in whole blood, serum, urine, muscle and saliva of Mumbai adults have been estimated by differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry (DPCSV); the detection limit of Se is 0.05 ng ml(-1). The reliability of estimation is further assessed through the analysis of Standard Reference Materials. The Se levels in whole blood (n = 35) and blood serum (n = 201) of the Mumbai adult population is 99.6 and 100 ng ml(-1); approximately 34.8% of the population have serum Se levels between 80 and 100 ng ml(-1). The blood serum levels of Se for Mumbai adults are comparable to those of whole blood. The mean concentration of Se in urine on a 24-h basis is 5.2 ng ml(-1). Muscle and saliva of the Mumbai adult population contain 195.4 ng g(-1) and 2 ng ml(-1) of Se, respectively. A good correlation between serum Se and dietary Se is observed with a correlation coefficient of 0.89.

The effect of barium selenate injection on selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity in blood of pregnant ewes fed selenium-deficient diet.

Selenium (Se) levels in whole blood and plasma, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in red cells and plasma were measured in ewes fed an Se-deficient diet injected with barium selenate before breeding season. Highly significant increases in Se levels and GSH-Px activities (P less than 0.001) were observed throughout the gestation period and during lactation. In the control group, Se levels and GSH-Px activities decreased significantly (P less than 0.001), and were at critically low levels during lambing and lactation periods.

Selenium in chronic neurologic diseases

The selenium levels in whole blood and the activity of glutathione peroxidase in hematogenous cells of normal Danes have been defined taking into account sex and confounding factors such as smoking and aging. No differences related to sex could be found with regard to the selenium level, and peroxidase activity assayed with hydrogen peroxide. However, the peroxidase activity assayed with t-butyl hydroperoxide was higher in females than in males (p less than .05). The peroxidase activities are dependent on age. Thus, the peroxidase levels assayed with both substrates show a minimum value in the age group from 40 to 50 yr for both smokers and nonsmokers. Smokers did show more homogeneous values as a function of age than nonsmokers. Smokers had significantly lower selenium values than nonsmokers, but glutathione peroxidase values identical with those of nonsmokers. Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients suffer from a chronic relapsing/remitting demyelinating disease. A theory explaining the pathogenesis of MS concerns increased stickiness of cellular plasma membranes, hampering normal vascular function of the brain. In agreement with that theory, the present communication demonstrates significantly lowered selenium values and lowered glutathione peroxidase activities of major types of hematogenous cells. In close agreement with these findings, hematogenous cells in MS show increased peroxidation rates. A nonblinded biochemical dietary experiment on MS patients showed that all abnormalities could be normalized by daily intake of selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Batten's disease is a recessive inherited neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by progressive loss of vision, epilepsy, and dementia. Neuropathologically, this disease is characterized by storage of lipofuscin in nervous tissue. We have in a few cases documented a low selenium status and low glutathione peroxidase activities of hematogenous cells. As in MS, we normalized the biochemical abnormalities by an antioxidative treatment. Like in similar Finnish studies, the biochemical parameters can be normalized. Further, the Finnish studies indicate it possible by an antioxidative treatment to inhibit progression of the mental deterioration. The data presented will be discussed in relationship both to specific pathological parameters of the diseases and to the low dietary energy expenditures of handicapped immobile patients.

Selenium concentrations in the blood and urine of a healthy Polish sub-population.

Selenium (Se) levels in whole blood, red blood cells, and plasma taken from 199 healthy subjects were investigated and found to be 101.1 micrograms/1 (whole blood), 133.1 micrograms/1 (packed red blood cells), and 78.0 micrograms/1 (plasma). In 62 samples of urine, the selenium level, expressed as micrograms/g creatinine, was 11.4. The mean whole blood selenium concentration was significantly higher in men than women: 104.5 +/- 23.2 vs. 96.9 +/- 21.2 micrograms/1. No differences were found in red blood cells, plasma and urine between male and female subjects. A strong linear correlation was observed between red blood cell and whole blood selenium levels (r = 0.879; p less than 0.001) as well as between selenium levels in whole blood and plasma (r = 0.806; p less than 0.001). A weaker but still significant linear correlation was found between urine and whole blood as well as between urine and plasma selenium concentrations. The relatively low levels of the element in the blood and urine are probably due to its deficiency in the diet.

Regional variation of cancer mortality incidence and its relation to selenium levels in China

The epidemiological relationship between selenium level and age-adjusted human cancer mortality (incidence) was studied in 24 regions located in eight provinces of China. Statistically significant inverse correlation was found between age-adjusted total cancer death rates and selenium levels in whole blood from local residents. In the areas with high selenium levels, there was significantly lower mortality in both males and females from cancer of the stomach and esophagus. In addition, an inverse correlation between regional distribution of liver cancer incidence and selenium contents in blood and grains in Qidong county, an area with high risk of hepatoma, was observed. With the intention of providing selenium supplements to residents living in low selenium regions, the selenium content in grains was raised by means of foliar spraying of crops with Na2SeO3 solution.

Selenium levels in blood and plasma, and glutathione peroxidase activity in blood of breast cancer patients during adjuvant treatment with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil.

Glutathione peroxidase activity in whole blood and selenium levels in whole blood and plasma from breast cancer patients, were measured during combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. No significant change in either glutathione peroxidase activity or selenium levels was observed. Comparison with matched controls showed no significant differences for either parameter.

Selenium levels in whole blood of Finnish volunteers before and during organic and inorganic selenium supplementation

Selenium levels in whole blood of Finnish volunteers before and during organic and inorganic selenium supplementation

Selenium levels in whole blood of Finnish volunteers before and during organic and inorganic selenium supplementation

High selenium barley biscuits containing 1 mumol (70 micrograms) organic Se were administered to healthy male volunteers for 5 weeks at doses of 2.1 mumol Se (group A) or 6.4 mumol (group B). In addition, 2 mg Na-selenate capsules (5.4 mumol Se) were given to two other groups at daily doses of 2 mg (group C) or 8 mg (group D). Groups A, B and C each comprised eight healthy men and group D eight healthy women and three men. The initial median concentration of whole blood selenium (B-Se for groups A, B and C were 1.0-1.1 mumol/l (range 0.7-1.7) and for group D 1.3 mumol/l (range 0.9-1.8). In 1-2 weeks time the B-Se concentrations rose to 1.6 mumol/l for groups A and C, to 1.8 mumol/l for group B, and to 2.2 mumol/l for group D. There was no decrease 1 week after the Se intake ceased. As expected, the level of B-Se increased more (in relation to dose) in those given organic Se than in those given inorganic Se. Groups A, B and C, however, had rather moderate increases. The daily dose required to raise the B-Se of Finns up to the North American level (2.2 mumol/l) was as high as 8 mg Na-selenate (21.5 mumol or 1700 micrograms Se), but the dose of organic Se which would be required to achieve this level is not yet known.