Selenium

About: Selenium is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 21192 publications have been published within this topic receiving 429715 citations. The topic is also known as: Se & selen.

The effects of dietary organic or inorganic selenium in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) under crowding conditions

Abstract: In the present study, the effects of different sources of selenium (Se; sodium selenite or selenomethionine) supplementation on the growth and serum concentrations of oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-isoprostane, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity] and muscle Se, MDA and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) levels in rainbow trouts were evaluated. The fish (n = 360; 0 + years old) with initial average weight of 20 ± 0.8 g were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups consisting of 3 replicates of 10 fish each in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments (stocking densities, Se sources, Se levels). The fish were kept at low (25 kg m−3) or high (100 kg m−3) stocking densities and fed a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 0.15 or 0.30 mg of Se kg−1 of diet from two different forms: sodium selenite or selenomethionine. High stocking density decreased weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) when basal diet was fed (P = 0.001). A linear increase in feed intake and weight gain and improvement in FCR were found in sodium selenite (P = 0.01)- or selenomethionine (P = 0.001)-supplemented fish reared under crowding conditions. Serum and muscle Se levels and serum GSH-Px activity increased (P = 0.001) linearly, whereas serum and muscle MDA concentrations and serum 8-isoprostane decreased linearly as dietary sodium selenite (P = 0.01) or selenomethionine (P = 0.001) supplementation increased. Selenomethionine and sodium selenite supplementation decreased Hsp70 in the muscle of fish reared under crowding conditions (P < 0.05). Supplementation with Se improved growth and antioxidant status of fish and the effects of selenomethionine were relatively greater than sodium selenite in the crowded groups. Results suggest that crowding conditions cause significant detrimental effects in rainbow trout indicated by increased oxidative stress, reduced feed intake and body weight gain. It also indicates that dietary Se supplementation offers a feasible way of reducing the losses in performance of rainbow trout reared under crowding conditions. Selenomethionine seems to be more effective than sodium selenite and the higer dose in the present study also seems to be more effective than the lower dose.

Selenocysteine in thiol/disulfide-like exchange reactions.

Abstract: Significance: Among trace elements used as cofactors in enzymes, selenium is unique in that it is incorporated into proteins co-translationally in the form of an amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec). Sec differs from cysteine (Cys) by only one atom (selenium versus sulfur), yet this switch dramatically influences important aspects of enzyme reactivity. Recent Advances: The main focus of this review is an updated and critical discussion on how Sec might be used to accelerate thiol/disulfide-like exchange reactions in natural selenoenzymes, compared with their Cys-containing homologs. Critical Issues: We discuss in detail three major aspects associated with thiol/disulfide exchange reactions: (i) nucleophilicity of the attacking thiolate (or selenolate); (ii) electrophilicity of the center sulfur (or selenium) atom; and (iii) stability of the leaving group (sulfur or selenium). In all these cases, we analyze the benefits that selenium might provide in these types of reactions. Future Directions: It is ...

The two faces of selenium.

Abstract: The nutritionally important trace elements share a high biological activity, implemented through association with enzymes, hormones or vitamins. The same activity responsible for physiological responses at extremely low dietary levels implies the potential for metabolic upset when the elements are ingested at elevated, although still relatively low levels. Selenium provides a classic example of this dichotomy of effects and has generated concerns at both ends of its supply spectrum. Experiences in the Dakotas, mid-19th century, led to identification of toxicity symptoms for which selenium was later shown to be responsible, while separate studies showed that excess selenium was teratogenic in the developing avian fetus. These toxic reactions suggested that selenium might be useful in restricting abnormal cell growth, and recent studies have proved it to be anticarcinogenic in certain specific circumstances. Investigation of selenium's nutrient function has been equally interesting, and when Schwarz showed it to be an essential nutrient in 1957, he began an era of intense research activity. Dietary levels of selenium below 0.02 ppm were found to cause deficiency symptoms affecting muscles, liver and pancreas and glutathione peroxidase was shown to be an active form through which selenium acted to prevent such aberrations. Research continues to seek other active organic combinations for selenium to identify interfering compounds that restrict its bioactivity and to explore biochemical mechanisms involved in its toxicity.

The Uptake and Assimilation of Selenite by Higher Plants

Abstract: Plants of wheat, ryegrass, red clover, white clover, and Neptunia amplexicaul'is (a selenium accumulator) were grown in nutrient solutions containing 75Se-selenite ion. The uptake of 75Se was measured and the root and shoot tissues fractionated to examine the products of selenite assimilation.

Rethinking mercury: the role of selenium in the pathophysiology of mercury toxicity

Abstract: Introduction: There is increasing evidence that the pathophysiological target of mercury is in fact selenium, rather than the covalent binding of mercury to sulfur in the body’s ubiquitous sulfhydr...