This review covers current knowledge of selenium in the environment, dietary intakes, metabolism and status, functions in the body, thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense systems and oxidative metabolism, and the immune system. Selenium toxicity and links between deficiency and Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease are described. The relationships between selenium intake/status and various health outcomes, in particular gastrointestinal and prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and male fertility, are reviewed, and recent developments in genetics of selenoproteins are outlined. The rationale behind current dietary reference intakes of selenium is explained, and examples of differences between countries and/or expert bodies are given. Throughout the review, gaps in knowledge and research requirements are identified. More research is needed to improve our understanding of selenium metabolism and requirements for optimal health. Functions of the majority of the selenoproteins await characterization, the mechanism of absorption has yet to be identified, measures of status need to be developed, and effects of genotype on metabolism require further investigation. The relationships between selenium intake/status and health, or risk of disease, are complex but require elucidation to inform clinical practice, to refine dietary recommendations, and to develop effective public health policies.

Selenium in human health and disease.

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-CoV) infection has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. In the absence of treatment for this virus, there is an urgent need to find alternative methods to control the spread of disease. Here, we have conducted an online search for all treatment options related to coronavirus infections as well as some RNA-virus infection and we have found that general treatments, coronavirus-specific treatments, and antiviral treatments should be useful in fighting COVID-19. We suggest that the nutritional status of each infected patient should be evaluated before the administration of general treatments and the current children's RNA-virus vaccines including influenza vaccine should be immunized for uninfected people and health care workers. In addition, convalescent plasma should be given to COVID-19 patients if it is available. In conclusion, we suggest that all the potential interventions be implemented to control the emerging COVID-19 if the infection is uncontrollable.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmv.25707

Potential Interventions for Novel Coronavirus in China: A Systematic Review

Objective: The intent of this review is to evaluate the scientific evidence for the assessment of adequacy of selenium status and of the requirements for selenium. From this evidence, attempts have been made to define levels of plasma selenium and dietary selenium intake, which could be used for the assessment of deficiency or adequacy of selenium status. Method: The first section briefly reviews the methods for assessment of selenium status. The second section outlines the requirements for selenium based on a number of criteria, and how these have been translated into recommended intakes of selenium. In the final section, levels of plasma selenium and dietary intake based on different criteria of adequacy have been proposed. Results and conclusion: The minimum requirement for selenium is that which prevents the deficiency disease, Keshan disease. The recommended intakes of selenium have been calculated from the requirement for optimum plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity that must, because of the hierarchy of selenoproteins, also take account of the amounts needed for normal levels of other biologically necessary selenium compounds. Whether optimal health depends upon maximization of GPx or other selenoproteins, however, has yet to be resolved, and the consequences of less-than-maximal GPx activities or mRNA levels need investigation. Intakes, higher than recommended intakes, and plasma selenium concentrations that might be protective for cancer or result in other additional health benefits have been proposed. There is an urgent need for more large-scale trials to assess any such beneficial effects and to provide further data on which to base more reliable estimates for intakes and plasma selenium levels that are protective.

Assessment of requirements for selenium and adequacy of selenium status: a review

Dietary selenium (]Se), mainly through its incorporation into selenoproteins, plays an important role in inflammation and immunity. Adequate levels of Se are important for initiating immunity, but they are also involved in regulating excessive immune responses and chronic inflammation. Evidence has emerged regarding roles for individual selenoproteins in regulating inflammation and immunity, and this has provided important insight into mechanisms by which Se influences these processes. Se deficiency has long been recognized to negatively impact immune cells during activation, differentiation, and proliferation. This is related to increased oxidative stress, but additional functions such as protein folding and calcium flux may also be impaired in immune cells under Se deficient conditions. Supplementing diets with above-adequate levels of Se can also impinge on immune cell function, with some types of inflammation and immunity particularly affected and sexually dimorphic effects of Se levels in so...

The Role of Selenium in Inflammation and Immunity: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities

Biogeochemistry of selenium and its impact on food chain quality and human health

SPECIFIC AIMTo determine the effect of a deficiency of the nutritionally essential trace element selenium (Se) in mice infected with influenza virus on lung pathology, viral titers, and the host im...

Heather K. Nelson

Papers

Selenium deficiency increases the pathology of an influenza virus infection.