Alterations of serum selenium concentrations in the acute phase of pathological conditions.
BACKGROUND
Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is known to be a cofactor of antioxidative selenoenzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase.


METHODS
We assessed the pathophysiological significance of selenium (Se) by comparing the concentrations of serum Se and C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy subjects (141; M=71, F=70) vs. patients with various pathological conditions.


RESULTS
In normal males in their 40s, peak serum Se concentrations were observed (2.03+/-0.30 microg/g of serum protein, 128%, P<0.001) vs. males in their 20s (1.59+/-0.20), whereas a peak was observed in females in their 30s (1.87+/-0.31, 119%, P<0.025) vs. those in their 20s (1.57+/-0.22). The serum Se concentrations in the high CRP value group (n=40, 1.07+/-0.29 microg/g, 64.1%), the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) test positive group (n=24, 1.37+/-0.29, 82.0%), the lung cancer group (n=16, 1.38+/-0.30, 82.6%), and the adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) group (n=22, 1.26+/-0.35, 75.4%) were significantly lower (P<0.001) than those in the healthy subjects (1.67+/-0.29 microg/g). This finding was confirmed by inducing acute phase response (APR) in rats by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which produced a significant decrease of Se in plasma and liver (69.5% and 81.6% vs. untreated rats, P<0.05). In contrast, the Se content in muscle, kidney, lung, spleen, heart, and thymus showed increases of <10%. Se mobilized from liver after LPS-challenge appeared to be translocated to muscle, and Se concentrations recovered by 80 h after APR to the control concentrations in parallel with the subsidence of APR.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction of Se in the liver and plasma during APR may be associated with the increased CRP synthesis in the liver.
Maehira
Fusako
F
Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Health Technology, School of Health Sciences, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0125, Japan. fmaehira@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Luyo
Gloria A
GA
Miyagi
Ikuko
I
Oshiro
Masaru
M
Yamane
Nobuhisa
N
Kuba
Mutsuo
M
Nakazato
Yukiyasu
Y
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000097:blood; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014131:Trace Elements; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012643:Selenium