****** TİROİD SELENYUM İLİŞKİSİ ******

Aynı zamanda her hücrenin doğru çalışmasında gerekli olan tiroit hormonunun vücutta en az aktif olan şeklinden (T4 olarak adlandırılır) aktif olan şekline kadar (T3 olarak bilinir) dönüştürülmesi için de yaşamsaldır. 

İlaveten selenyum, vücuda kendisini zararlı bakterilerden ve aynı zamanda kanser hücrelerinden korumada yardımcı olan sağlıklı bir bağışıklık sistemi için esastır.

Bağışıklık arttırıcı etkileri, uçukların nedeni olan herpes virüsü ve zona ile mücadelede rol oynayabilir ve aynı zamanda AİDS e nedeni virüs olan HIV e karşı olası etkileri için de incelenmektedir.

Selenyum E vitamini ;
E Vitamini ile birleştirildiği zaman, selenyumun bazı antienflamatuvar yararları olduğu da görülmektedir.  Bu iki besin romatoit artrit, sedef hastalığı, lupus ve egzama gibi kronik hastalıkları iyileştirebilir.

****** SON BULGULAR ******

Son çalışmalar selenyumun deney tüpünde hücrelere normal hızlarda büyüme ve ölmede yardımcı olarak onları kanserli hale gelmekten koruyarak göreceli hızda etkili olduğunu göstermiştir. Uzmanlar selenyumun kanserle mücadele ile ilgili yararlarının vücutta da hızla etki etkili olabileceğini de sanmaktadırlar.
Agriculture Research gazetesine göre, farelerdeki araştırmalar, her ikisi de antioksidan olan selenyum minerali veya E vitamini eksikliğinin gayri faal uyur virüsleri, hastalık nedeni faal durumlarına dönüştürebileceğini göstermiştir. Bu selenyumun, her ikisi de uyuyan herpes virüsünün yeniden etkinleşmesinden kaynaklanan uçuklara ve zonaya karşı neden etkin olduğunu açıklamaya yardımcı olabilir.

****** SELENYUM NE KADAR ALINMALIDIR? ******

<H2</H2Selenyum içeren gıdalar dışında selenyum takviyeleri de (selenyum tabletleri) alınabilir. Önerilen günlük selenyum dozu erkekler için 70mcg ve kadınlar için 55mcg dir. Bazı durumlarda 600mcg a kadar bir miktar alınabileceği belirtilmektedir.Eğer selenyum tabeti alıyorsanız, günde 600mcg ‘den fazla alınmamalıdır. Fazla selenyum kullanımı ağız kokusu ile beraber depresyona, mide bulantısı ve kusmaya, sinirliliğe ve saç - tırnak kaybına sebep olabilir.

WHAT IS SELENIUM?
Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts [1,2]. Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease [2,3]. Other selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system [4-7].

HEALTH EFFECTS
Although it is toxic in large doses, selenium is an essential micronutrient for animals. In plants, it occurs as a bystander mineral, sometimes in toxic proportions in forage (some plants may accumulate selenium as a defense against being eaten by animals, but other plants such as locoweed require selenium, and their growth indicates the presence of selenium in soil).[2] It is a component of the unusual amino acids selenocysteine and selenomethionine. In humans, selenium is a trace element nutrient which functions as cofactor for reduction of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidases and certain forms of thioredoxin reductase found in animals and some plants (this enzyme occurs in all living organisms, but not all forms of it in plants require selenium).

Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) catalyzes certain reactions which remove reactive oxygen species such as peroxide:
2 GSH+ H2O2---------GSH-Px → GSSG + 2 H2O
Selenium also plays a role in the functioning of the thyroid gland by participating as a cofactor for the three known thyroid hormone deiodinases.[5]
Dietary selenium comes from nuts, cereals, meat, fish, and eggs. Brazil nuts are the richest ordinary dietary source (though this is soil-dependent, since the Brazil nut does not require high levels of the element for its own needs). High levels are found in kidney, tuna, crab and lobster, in that order.

1: J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2007;21 Suppl 1:40-3. Epub 2007 Nov 7. Links
Trace elements in growth: iodine and selenium status of Turkish children.
Hincal F.
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey. fhincal@tr.net
Starting from the fetal life and increasing the need throughout the childhood, adequate intake of micronutrients is of great importance for the proper development of structure and function of the body, and the well being. However, micronutrient deficiency is widespread in many populations of the world mainly due to nutritional insufficiencies and/or inadequate and unbalanced nutrition. While iodine and selenium (Se) are inadequately available for men and live stock in many parts of the world, Turkey is one of those countries where iodine deficiency (ID) is widespread, Se levels are marginal. In this communication, importance of adequate iodine and Se nutrition and status of Turkish children is summarized.
PMID: 18039495 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Epilepsia. 2007 Sep;48(9):1750-5. Epub 2007 Jun 6. Links
A probable causative factor for an old problem: selenium and glutathione peroxidase appear to play important roles in epilepsy pathogenesis.
Ashrafi MR, Shams S, Nouri M, Mohseni M, Shabanian R, Yekaninejad MS, Chegini N, Khodadad A, Safaralizadeh R.
Children's Medical Center, Department of Pediatric Neurology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. mr_ashrafi@yahoo.com
PURPOSE: Only recently has it become known that oxidative stress and generation of reactive oxygen species are the cause and the consequence of epileptic seizures. Due to the protective role of selenium (Se) and selenoproteins against oxidative damage and the ability to promote neuronal cell survival, we compared serum selenium level and red blood cell Glutathione peroxidase activity (RBC GPx) between epileptic and healthy children. METHODS: In a case control study, 53 epileptic children were compared with 57 healthy children in the same age and community of residence. Serum Se and RBC GPx activity were measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometry and Cayman standard glutathione assay kit, respectively. RESULTS: The mean (+/-standard deviation) of serum Se was 72.90 microg/L (+/-22.20) and 86.00 microg/L (+/-15.00) in patient and control groups, respectively. For RBC GPx activity the mean (+/-standard deviation) was 440.57 nmol/min/ml (+/-264.00) and 801.00 nmol/min/ml (+/-267.00) in patient and control groups, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant lower means of serum Se and RBC GPx activity in patient group compared to that of healthy control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lower serum Se and RBC GPx activity in epileptic patients compared to healthy children may support the proposed crucial role of Se and GPx activity in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. However, RBC GPx activity in the case of selenium deficiency could not be a sensitive and specific indicator of Se status in serum that led us to supplant Se measurement with RBC GPx activity.
PMID: 17555528 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Hell J Nucl Med. 2006 Sep-Dec;9(3):195-203. Links
Comment in:
Hell J Nucl Med. 2007 Jan-Apr;10(1):34; author reply 34.
[Selenium and thyroidal function; the role of immunoassays]
[Article in Greek, Modern]
Kaprara A, Krassas GE.
Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Panagia General Hospital, N Plastora 22, 551 32 Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
It is well known that selenium plays a fundamental role in regulating thyroid and other functions of the human body like reproduction, autoimmunity, glucose metabolism or bone metabolism. While for thyroid function investigation, radioimmunoassays and radioimmunometric assays both key techniques of nuclear medicine are used, for selenium measurements atomic absorption spectrometry is the method of choice. Normal thyroid gland retains high selenium concentrations even under conditions of inadequate selenium supply and expresses many of the known selenocysteine-containing proteins. Adequate selenium nutrition supports efficient thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism and protects the thyroid gland damage by excessive iodide exposure. In regions where a combined severe iodine and selenium deficiency exist, normalization of iodine supply is mandatory before initiation of selenium supplementation in order to prevent hypothyroidism. Selenium deficiency and disturbed thyroid function may develop under conditions of special dietary regimens, such as long-term total parenteral nutrition or after inadequate nutrition in children. Some investigators suggest that selenium may be a useful adjunctive treatment for autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as Hashimoto and Graves' disease. Low serum selenium levels have been associated with higher incidence of thyroid cancer, as well as with chronic illness or lomicronw triiodothyronine syndrome. These biological actions are mediated through the expression of selenoproteins, the most important being the glutathione peroxidases, the iodothyronine deiodinases, the thioredoxine reductase and the selenoprotein P. Selenium is also associated with animal proteins. Subsequently meats and seafood are dietary sources of selenium. The ingestion of large quantities of selenium may have adverse effects. It has been shown that dietary intake of about 300 micro g of selenium daily may have a toxic effect on growth hormone and insulin like growth factor-1 metabolism, as well as in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Main adverse effects may be anorexia, diarrhea, depression, hemorrhage, liver and kidney necrosis, blindness, ataxia and respiratory disturbances. Dermatitis and CNS deficiency have also been described. It is concluded that selenium plays an important role in regulating thyroid function, as well as in the homeostasis of thyroid hormones through the action of selenoproteins, in which it incorporates as selenocystein.
PMID: 17160166 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Anesteziol Reanimatol. 2006 Jan-Feb;(1):45-8. Links
[Experience with a selenium-containing biological active supplement used in children with pneumonias in an intensive care unit]
[Article in Russian]
Uglitskikh AK, Tsokova NB, Gmoshinskiĭ IV, Mazo VK, Kon' IIa, Ostreĭkov IF.
The efficacy of the biologically active additive (BAA) "Spirulin-Sochi-Selen" was evaluated in 45 children aged 3 to 15 years who had acute pneumonia treated in the intensive care unit for infected patients of the Tushino children's city hospital, Moscow. The levels of selenium were determined by the Alfthan microfluorimetric technique (1984). The time course of clinical, laboratory, functional, and X-ray changes was determined. A control group comprised 20 children taking no selenium-containing foods or biologically active additives. The findings suggest that the BAA "Spirulin-Sochi-Selen" is effective as part of therapy for acute pneumonia in children treated in an intensive care unit. There were no signs of selenium deficiency in any case despite the baseline reduction in the average serum levels in both groups.
PMID: 16613045 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2004;18(2):193-6. Links
Plasma selenium status in children with iron deficiency anemia.
Gürgöze MK, Aygün AD, Olçücü A, Doğan Y, Yilmaz E.
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elaziğ, Turkey. mkgurgoze@yahoo.com
Iron and selenium are trace elements necessary for the maintenance of life and health. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency among children in the world. The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasma selenium concentrations in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Plasma selenium levels were investigated in 56 children with IDA and in 48 control subjects aged 1-8 years. A spectrofluorometric method was used for the determination. Plasma selenium concentrations in children with IDA (33.6+/-8.2 microg/l) were significantly lower than in the control group (56.0+/-17.0 microg/l) (p<0.001). However, there was no relation between plasma selenium, iron and hemoglobin concentrations.
PMID: 15646268 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Acta Pharm. 2004 Dec;54(4):261-76. Links
The facts and controversies about selenium.
Dodig S, Cepelak I.
Special Hospital for Respiratory Diseases in Children and Adolescents, Zagreb, Croatia. bolnica_srebrnjak@yahoo.com
Selenium is a trace element, essential in small amounts, but it can be toxic in larger amounts. Levels in the body are mainly dependent on the amount of selenium in the diet, which is a function of the selenium content of the soil. Humans and animals require selenium for normal functioning of more than about 30 known selenoproteins, of which approximately 15 have been purified to allow characterisation of their biological functions. Selenoproteins are comprised of four glutathione peroxidases, three iodothyronine deiodinases, three thioredoxin reductases, selenoprotein P, selenoprotein W and selenophosphate synthetase. Selenium is essential for normal functioning of the immune system and thyroid gland, making selenium an essential element for normal development, growth, metabolism, and defense of the body. Supportive function of selenium in health and disease (male infertility, viral infections, including HIV, cancer, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases) is documented in great number of clinical examinations. A great number of studies confirm that selenium supplementation plays a preventive and therapeutical role in different diseases. Definitive evidence regarding the preventive and therapeutical role of selenium as well as the exact mechanism of its action should be investigated in further studies. Investigations in Croatia indicate a possibility of inadequate selenium status of people in the area.
PMID: 15634611 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Biol Trace Elem Res. 2004 Sep;100(3):185-93. Links
Goiter prevalence, serum selenium, and urine iodine status in a previously iodine-deficient area in Turkey.
Cinaz P, Karakasü DS, Camurdan MO, Bideci A, Ayvali ED, Yücel C.
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
This study was planned to investigate goiter prevalence and serum selenium and urine iodine status among school-age children in the Ankara region of Turkey. Nine hundred five (905) children were investigated; 847 of them were included in the study. Thyroid ultrasound was performed on children who were suspected of being goitrous at physical examination. Serum TSH, thyroxine, triiodotyronine, thyroid antibody, and urine iodine concentrations (UIC) are also measured. Ultrasound measurements revealed a goiter in 107 (12.6%) of the 847 children. Goiter prevalence was significantly lower among iodized-salt users compared to the noniodized salt using group. UIC and serum selenium levels in the goitrous group were significantly lower compared to the nongoitrous group. Despite legally enforced table salt iodization, the region shows the characteristics of mild iodine deficiency. In addition to lower UIC, goitrous children have lower serum selenium levels compared to the nongoitrous ones. Thus, selenium deficiency plays an important role in goiter endemics in Turkey. It can be postulated that table salt iodization might not be enough for the preventive measures of goiter, but informing people about the correct ways of iodized salt consumption, enforcing the iodization of industrial salts, and, as important as these measures, taking selenium deficiency into consideration are essential for preventing goiters in endemic areas.
PMID: 15475617 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Biofactors. 2003;19(3-4):137-43. Links
Selenium and thyroid function in infants, children and adolescents.
Chanoine JP.
Department of Pediatrics, Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6H 3V4, BC, Canada. jchanoine@cw.bc.ca
Selenium is an integral component of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and iodothyronine deiodinases. Although selenium nutrition could conceivably affect thyroid function in infants, children and adolescents, available data suggest that the effect of selenium deficiency on thyroid function is relatively modest. In patients with isolated selenium deficiency (such as patients with phenylketonuria receiving a low-protein diet), peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism is impaired but there are no changes in thyrotropin (TSH) or clinical signs of hypothyroidism, suggesting that these patients are euthyroid. Selenium supplementation may be advisable to optimize tissue GPx activity and prevent potential oxidative stress damage. In areas where combined selenium and iodine deficiencies are present (such as endemic goiter areas in Central Africa), selenium deficiency may be responsible for the destruction of the thyroid gland in myxoedematous cretins but may also play a protective role by mitigating fetal hypothyroidism. In these areas, selenium supplementation should only be advocated at the same time or after iodine supplementation. In patients with absent or decreased production of thyroid hormones and who rely solely on deiodination of exogenous L-thyroxine for generation of the active triiodothyronine (such as patients with congenital hypothyroidism), selenium supplementation may optimize thyroid hormone feedback at the pituitary level and decrease stimulation of the residual thyroid tissue.
PMID: 14757964 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Cent Eur J Public Health. 2003 Jun;11(2):107-13. Links
Effect of iodine and selenium upon thyroid function.
Kvícala J, Zamrazil V.
Institute of Endocrinology, Národní 8, 116 94 Prague, Czech Republic. jkvicala@endo.cz
Iodine is an essential element with unique role in organism: it is indispensable component of thyroid hormones. After binding with specific nuclear receptor, T3/T4 induce transcription of genetic code via mRNA and regulate proteosynthesis in most tissues. Thyroid hormones regulate rate of metabolic processes and consequently development of organism. Czech Republic was in past typical region with moderate to severe iodine deficiency. Therefore epidemiological survey was started in randomly selected samples of peoples. Thereafter a complex program of improving iodine supply was realized. Prompt effects of this changes were recorded, namely increase of ioduria and decrease of thyroid volume. Essential trace element selenium has a fundamental importance to the cell and body metabolism regulation by thyroid hormones. Activities of selenoenzymes deiodinases lead to the activation of prohormone T4 to active hormone T3 and the inactivation of T3 and of T4, as well. There is unfortunately moderate to mild Se deficit in the CR. Average serum Se concentrations for the populations from 6 to 65 years are in the regions of the CR between 42 and 62 micrograms/l and urine Se values are between 8 and 15 micrograms/l. We have found statistically significant correlations among indexes of selenium status and indexes of thyroid hormone metabolism and function. Especially dangerous are concomitant deficiencies of both key elements for thyroid hormone metabolism--I and Se--from the point of thyroid hormone regulative functions.
PMID: 12884559 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2003 Jun;20(4):273-80. Links
The prevalence of low selenium levels in newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients.
Postovsky S, Arush MW, Diamond E, Elhasid R, Shoshani G, Shamir R.
Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Rambam Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. psergey@netvision.net.il
Low selenium (Se) levels have been found in assoiciation with high incidences of various types of adult cancer. Much less is known about this issue among pediatric cancer patients. Forty-two pediatric patients with a variety of newly diagnosed malignancies were divided into two groups, 20 with localized disease (LD) and 22 with widespread disease (WSD). Analysis of serum collected before the commencement of treatment showed that half the patients had low Se serum levels, lower and more common in WSD than in LD. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of low albumin levels among patients with low Se levels, and most of the newly diagnosed children did not suffer from malnutrition. It was concluded that Se deficiency is common among newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients, Se levels are lower in WSD than LD, and low Se levels are more prevalent in WSD patients than in LD patients.
PMID: 12746159 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Jul-Aug;15(7):1027-31. Links
Iodine and selenium deficiency in school-children in an endemic goiter area in Turkey.
Aydin K, Kendirci M, Kurtoğlu S, Karaküçük EI, Kiriş A.
Selcuk University Medical Faculty, Konya, Turkey. kursaday@hotmail.com
Endemic goiter is one of the most important health problems in Turkey. However, there are not enough studies associated with iodine and selenium status. This study was carried out to establish the effects of iodine and selenium levels on thyroid gland size and thyroid functions in 73 healthy school-children, 7-12 years old (mean 9.56 +/- 1.77 years), 38 girls (52%) and 35 boys (48%), living in an endemic goiter area. Goiter was found in 32 of the children (43.8%) by palpation, and 56 of the children (76.7%) by ultrasonography. Mean serum T3 and TSH levels were in the upper limit of normal, and mean serum T4 levels were within the normal limits, but mean serum thyroglobulin levels were higher than the normal limits. Mean serum selenium level was 30.84 +/- 23.04 microg/l, and mean urinary iodine level was 3.91 +/- 3.77 microg/dl, appropriate for moderate iodine and selenium deficiency. Thyroid volumes of the children were negatively correlated with serum selenium levels, but there was no correlation with urinary iodine levels and thyroid hormones. In conclusion, school-children in this area had significant goiter problems, probably due to the iodine and selenium deficiencies.
PMID: 12199330 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Free Radic Res. 2002 Jan;36(1):55-62. Links
Oxidative DNA base damage, antioxidant enzyme activities and selenium status in highly iodine-deficient goitrous children.
Giray B, Hincal F.
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
The objective of this study was to investigate oxidative DNA damage, and the levels of antioxidant enzymes (AOE) and selenium (Se) in relation to iodine deficiency and/or goiter in children. The study was performed in a group of goitrous high school children (15-18 years of age) (n = 14) with severe or moderate iodine deficiency. Thyroid hormones (TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3, TT3), urinary iodine (UI) and plasma Se levels, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined and compared with those of a control group consisting of non-goitrous high school children (n = 14) with normal UI levels or mild iodine deficiency. In the goitrous group, concentrations of FT4, TT4, plasma Se and UI, and activities of GSHPx and SOD were found to be significantly lower. Six typical hydroxyl radical-induced base lesions in genomic DNA of peripheral blood were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (GC/IDMS), and higher levels of DNA base lesions were observed in the goitrous group. The results suggest that highly iodine-deficient goitrous children may be under oxidative stress, which may lead to greater level of oxidative damage to DNA. This study supports the evidence for the reported relationship between iodine deficiency and the increased incidence of thyroid malignancies.
PMID: 11999703 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Biol Trace Elem Res. 2001 Summer;82(1-3):35-52. Links
Status of selenium and antioxidant enzymes of goitrous children is lower than healthy controls and nongoitrous children with high iodine deficiency.
Giray B, Hincal F, Teziç T, Okten A, Gedik Y.
University of Hacettepe, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara, Turkey.
In order to investigate the relations of iodine deficiency and/or goiter with selenium (Se) and antioxidant enzyme (AOE) status, we determined the relevant parameters of goitrous high school children living in an endemic goiter area of Turkey. Subjects were selected by a simple random sampling technique after screening the whole population of the high schools of two towns by neck palpation. The results of the goitrous group (n = 48, aged 15-18 yr) were compared with those of nongoitrous control children (n = 49) from the same populations, and with an outside control group (n = 24) from a lower-goiter-prevalence area. The overall prevalence of goiter was 39.6% in the high school population of the area. Activities of erythrocyte AOE (glutathion peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) and concentrations of plasma and erythrocyte Se and urinary iodine were found to be significantly lower in goitrous children than both in-region and out-region of the control groups. When the whole study group was reclassified according to the severity of iodine deficiency, it was found that the AOE and Se status of those control children without goiter but with high iodine deficiency was significantly higher than goitrous children, although they did not differ from nondeficient control group. This might be the result of the possibility that goitrous children are exposed of oxidative stress, which may introduce alterations to the antioxidant defense system and/or the antioxidant status is relatively lower in goitrous children than those children who are highly iodine-deficient but did not develop goiter. The results of this study seem to support the view that the risk of goiter development may be higher in highly iodine-deficient children with lower enzymatic antioxidant and Se status.

PMID: 11697777 [PubM1: Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk. 2001;(6):31-4. Links
[Selenium as an essential and deficient factor in the nutrition of Russian population]
[Article in Russian]
Tutel'ian VA, Khotimchenko SA.
The paper presents summarized data on the metabolism of selenium and approaches to justifying physiological requirements for this micronutrient. The studies dealing with the levels of selenium in different foodstuffs have indicated that they are lower in the foods made in Russia than in those made in foreign countries, which leads to its insufficient dietary intake in Russia's population, in poor ecological regions in particular. Experimental studies have revealed that organic selenium compounds exert a beneficial effect on the metabolism of priority food pollutants, such as mycotoxins and N-nitrosoamines.
PMID: 11517874 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2001 Jun;10(60):411-3. Links
[Selenium plasma concentration level in children with food allergy]
[Article in Polish]
Kalita B, Nowak P, Slimok M, Sikora A, Szkilnik R, Obuchowicz A, Sulej J, Sabat D.
Katedra i Klinika Pediatrii w Bytomiu Slaskiej Akademii Medycznej w Katowicach.
Selenium (Se) is an essential component of many mammalian enzymes and therefore plays an important role in different metabolic processes. Se deficiency occurs in inadequate diet consumption as well as in some digestive tract and allergic diseases. In this research we showed that Se plasma concentration levels in healthy children was 71.8 mg/l, whereas in those with food allergy 54.1 mg/l (with smaller intestinal villus atrophy) or 50.4 mg/l (with greater intestinal villus atrophy). Obtained results indicate that children with food allergy display higher risk of Se deficiency. Antioxidative and immunomodulatory action of Se, connecting with promising literature data of Se supplementation, promote us to state, that this trace element could be used for accessory food allergies trea1: Biol Trace Elem Res.

2000 Dec;77(3):199-208. Links
Selenium deficiency and hypothyroidism: a new etiology in the differential diagnosis of hypothyroidism in children.
Pizzulli A, Ranjbar A.
Three female children presented with different clinical symptoms that could be related to impaired thyroid function. They underwent an accurate pediatric-endocrinologic diagnosis. Laboratory tests revealed no pathological findings, except latent hypothyroidism and selenium deficiency. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed by elevated basal TSH and by a pathological i.v.-TRH-stimulation test. After treating the children with sodium selenite orally for 4 wk, their metabolism had returned to normal and we saw a marked improvement of all clinical symptoms. For the first time, we have been able to describe hypothyroidism caused exclusively by selenium deficiency, the pathophysiology of which may be expressed as a malfunction of human 5'-deiodinases.
PMID: 11204462 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Aug 5. [Epub ahead of print] Links
Selenium for preventing Kashin-Beck osteoarthropathy in children: a meta-analysis.
Zou K, Liu G, Wu T, Du L.
Evidence-Based Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of selenium supplementation for prevention of Kashin-Beck Osteoarthropathy in children. METHODS: We searched eight electronic databases and seven journals (upto July 2007) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective non-RCTs comparing selenium supplementations with placebo or no intervention for preventing Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). The methodological qualities of included studies were assessed according to the guidelines of Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions for RCTs and the method described by Deeks et al. for non-RCTs. Outcomes were presented as Peto-odds ratios (Peto-ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) based on fixed effect model. The number needed to treat (NNT) was calculated. Meta-regression was also conducted to explore the possible impacts of potential confounding variables (place of study, age, selenium form, etc.) of included trials on the incidence of KBD. RESULTS: Five RCTs and 10 non-RCTs were included in this review. The methodological quality of included studies was low. The pooled Peto-OR and NNT favoring selenium supplement was 0.13 (95% CI: 0.04-0.47) and 21 in RCTs, and 0.16 (95% CI: 0.09-0.30) and 26 in non-RCTs. Meta-regression indicated that the effect of potential confounding variables on KBD incidence was not statistically significant. One trial reported the side effects of nausea and vomiting in the process of selenium supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence supports the benefits of selenium supplementation for prevention of KBD in children. However, the evidence was limited by potential biases and confounders. Large, well-designed trials are still needed.
PMID: 18693119 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

1: Biol Trace Elem Res. 2004 Aug;100(2):97-104. Links
Relationship among serum selenium levels, lipid peroxidation, and acute bronchiolitis in infancy.
Gurkan F, Atamer Y, Ece A, Kocyigit Y, Tuzun H, Mete M.
Department of Pediatrics, Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Thirty-four infants with acute bronchiolitis and 25 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled to investigate the possible relationship between serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and selenium (Se) levels and the occurrence and severity of acute bronchiolitis in children. Serum samples were taken for serum Se and MDA measurements, and the clinical score was assessed at admission. Blood was taken again from the children with bronchiolitis at 2 mo after discharge from the hospital. Mean serum MDA levels were significantly higher in patients with acute bronchiolitis than at the postbronchiolitis stage and the controls (4.2+/-2.5 nmol/L, 1.4+/-0.8 nmol/L, and 0.7+/-0.2 nmol/L, respectively [p<0.001]). Infants with bronchiolitis had lower mean serum Se levels at the acute stage than after 2 mo (31.7+/-28.9 micro g/L versus 68.4+/-26.4 micro g/L, p<0.05, respectively); both of which were significantly lower than the control group measurements (145.0+/-21.9 micro g/L) (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between serum MDA and Se levels in the patient group (r= -0.85, p<0.001). The age of the patient, child's immunization status, parental smoking habit, and family crowding index were not correlated with serum Se, MDA levels, or clinical score at admission.In conclusion, increased MDA levels and impaired Se status demonstrate the presence of possible relationship of these parameters with pathogenesis of acute bronchiolitis, and antioxidant supplementation with Se might be thought to supply a beneficial effect against bronchiolitis.
PMID: 15326359 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1998 Sep 30;27(5):344-7. Links
[Effect of selenium on children suffered from Mycoplasma pneumonia]
[Article in Chinese]
Hu S, Liu X, Yin SA, Xu Q.
Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing 100050, China.
In order to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Selenium (Se) on Mycoplasma pneumonia, a clinical study was conducted in hospitalized patients using a double blind controlled method. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, the control patients received the routine treatment, and the supplemented group was given 1 mg sodium selenite one time only in addition to the routine treatment. The present study showed that concomitant of Se and routine treatment was superior to routine treatment alone in terms of improvement of clinical signs, time needed for relieving symptoms and signs (P < 0.05). The levels of Se and glutathione peroxidase in plasma and white blood cell were increased in Se supplemented group (P < 0.05). Higher proportion of patients in the treated group showed normalization of T cell subset parameters as compared with the control group. It can be concluded that supplementation of Se would be conducive to the improvement of the nutritional status and the increase of the ability of resisting-infection.
PMID: 11939055 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Chin Med J (Engl). 2000 Sep;113(9):771-5. Links
Effect of selenium on human myocardial glutathione peroxidase gene expression.
Liu D, Liu S, Huang Y, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Han L.
Beijing Institute of Heart Lung & Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of selenium (Se) in the expression and activity of selenium-dependent cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX-1). METHODS: 46 patients with atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect were separated into two groups, a control group (23 cases) and a Se supplementation group (23 cases). The Se supplementation group received 400 micrograms selenium per day for 7 days before surgery. We used biochemical techniques, atomic absorption, RT-PCR and cDNA sequence testing methods to evaluate and compare the changes during ischemia/reperfussion (I/R) in myocardial melondialdehyde (MDA) level, GPX activity and gene expression level, GPX cDNA nucleotide sequence, selenium and calcium and magnesium concentration. RESULTS: Before ischemia, taking selenium for 7 days did not change the selenium concentration in either plasma or blood cells in either group. The GPX mean activity level in the selenium group was slightly lower than that in the control group, and the MDA level was equal in both. After 30 minutes of reperfusion, the Se level in plasma and blood cells remained constant, while the myocardial Se concentration and GPX gene expression in the Se group increased significantly. The MDA level in the Se group reduced 4.2%, compared to an 8.2% rise in the control group. The mean level of GPX activity in the Se group was slightly lower than that in the control group. Both pre- and post-myocardial reperfusion, the Se group had a higher rate of myocardial GPX gene expression, and the nucleotide sequence was normal. These results indicate that supplementing Se is not likely to enhance myocardial GPX activity, but it could increase the GPX gene expression level, and thereby enhance the Se patients' myocardial antioxidant level during I/R, allowing free radicals to be scavenged as soon as they are generated. CONCLUSION: Se supplementation could increase myocardial selenium content and improve GPX gene expression during I/R, and in this way defend against free radical peroxide damage to the myocardium.
PMID: 11776067 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]