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.

Selenium - a fascinating antioxidant of protective properties.

Abstract: Selenium is a trace element which fulfils important functions in the organism. Its deficit may cause acute disorders, but an overdose can also lead to severe consequences. The functions of selenium in the organism are mainly connected with its antioxidant properties, as it is an essential part of important antioxidant enzymes. Disturbances of oxidant balance have been found to be involved in the activity of numerous harmful factors as well as in the pathogenesis of diverse illnesses. Selenium administration has proved to be effective against the toxicity of many agents and the side effects of drugs. However, the narrow range between therapeutic and toxic doses of selenium, as well as the dependence of its effect on the applied form, dose and method of treatment, makes the choice of the most effective supplement a very complex issue. Divergent forms of selenium are still being studied, including both inorganic and organic compounds as well as Se-enriched natural products. The newest research has also involved selenium nanoparticles. The aim of this review is to present the great potential of selenium for protecting the organism against a wide variety of environmental pollutants, drugs and physical factors.

Selenium and selenoproteins: an overview on different biological systems.

Abstract: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans, plants and microorganisms. Inorganic selenium is present in nature in four oxidation states: selenate, selenite, elemental Se and selenide in decreasing order of redox status. These forms are converted by all biological systems into more bioavailable organic forms, mainly as the two seleno-amino acids selenocysteine and selenomethionine. Humans, plants and microorganisms are able to fix twhese amino acids into proteins originating Se-containing proteins by a simple replacement of methionine with selenomethionine, or "true" selenoproteins if the insertion of selenocysteine is genetically encoded by a specific UGA codon. Selenocysteine is usually present in the active site of enzymes, being essential for their catalytic activity. This review will focus on the strategies adopted by the different biological systems for selenium incorporation into proteins and on the importance of this element for the physiological functions of living organisms. The most known selenoproteins of humans and microorganisms will be listed highlighting the importance of this element and the problems connected with its deficiency.

EURRECA—Estimating Zinc Requirements for Deriving Dietary Reference Values

Abstract: Current reference values for selenium, an essential micronutrient, are based on the intake of selenium that is required to achieve maximal glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma or erythrocytes. In order to assess the evidence of relevance to setting dietary reference values for selenium, the EURRECA Network of Excellence focused on systematic searches, review, and evaluation of (i) selenium status biomarkers and evidence for relationships between intake and status biomarkers, (ii) selenium and health (including the effect of intake and/or status biomarkers on cancer risk, immune function, HIV, cognition, and fertility), (iii) bioavailability of selenium from the diet, and (iv) impact of genotype/single nucleotide polymorphisms on status or health outcomes associated with selenium. The main research outputs for selenium and future research priorities are discussed further in this review.

Producing selenium-enriched eggs and meat to improve the selenium status of the general population

Abstract: The role of selenium (Se) in human health and diseases has been discussed in detail in several recent reviews, with the main conclusion being that selenium deficiency is recognised as a global prob...