title: Human glutathione peroxidase activity in cases of high selenium exposures.
abstract: Four communities with water supplies having selenium concentrations of less than 3.1, 1.7, 189, and 496 micrograms/liter were selected for study. Samples of blood, urine, and tap water were obtained from participants in each community and analyzed for selenium content. Blood samples were also analyzed for glutathione peroxidase activity. Results showed an increase in selenium concentration in the urine as the water selenium increased. Selenium concentrations in blood did not reflect the increased selenium exposure. Glutathione peroxidase activity in whole blood decreased in highly exposed participants compared to those with low exposure. We conclude that glutathione peroxidase activity in cases of possible environmental toxic exposures will not show the increased activity seen in supplementation of selenium to deficient subjects.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Center for Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Valentine
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faraji
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D014873:Water Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium