Enhancement of endogenous defenses against ROS by supra-nutritional level of selenium is more safe and effective than antioxidant supplementation in reducing hypertensive target organ damage.
Hypertension-induced target organ damage (TOD), is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of hypertension. It has been suggested that hypertension-induced TOD is related to the level of oxidative stress, but is in part independent of the level of blood pressure. Therefore, in addition to anti-hypertensive drug therapy, novel strategies against ROS, will provide additional benefits to patient with hypertension. Vitamin E has long been supplemented as an effective antioxidant. However, the potential hazardous effects of vitamin E supplementation as antioxidant revealed by recent studies make its clinical and routine use prudent. Therefore, novel approaches capable of enhancing endogenous system to defend against ROS are required. Here, we propose that enhancement of intrinsic defenses against ROS by supra-nutritional level of selenium is more safe and effective than antioxidant supplementation in reducing hypertensive target organ damage, owing to its role in activating and constitution of native vital proteins and/or enzymes against oxidative stress, and the fact that scarcity of selenium can not be supplemented by normal food, and potentially extra benefits by supra-normal intake.
Zhou
Xin
X
Graduate School of Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Qi-Xiang-Tai Street, Tianjin, PR China.
Ji
Wen-Jie
WJ
Zhu
Yong
Y
He
Bing
B
Li
He
H
Huang
Ti-Gang
TG
Li
Yu-Ming
YM
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008954:Models, Biological; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012643:Selenium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012643:Selenium