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PubMed1988

Estimation of the relative bioavailability of inorganic selenium sources for poultry. 2. Tissue uptake of selenium from high dietary selenium concentrations.

An experiment was conducted with 192 day-old male Cobb chicks to study tissue uptake of Se as an estimate of the bioavailability of supplemental inorganic Se sources fed at high dietary concentrations. A basal corn-soybean meal diet (.18 mg Se/kg diet, dry matter basis) was supplemented with 0, 3, 6, or 9 mg Se/kg diet (as-fed basis) as either reagent grade Na2SeO3, CaSeO3, or Na2SeO3 plus fumed amorphous carrier or 6 mg Se/kg diet as either Na2SeO4 or Se metal, and fed for 1 wk. No toxic effects were noted as expressed by mortality; however, there was a reduction (P less than .01) in feed intake and daily gain when 9 mg Se/kg diet was fed, suggesting onset of toxicosis. Selenium concentration in liver, kidney, muscle, and plasma increased linearly (P less than .01) as dietary Se increased from all sources. Selenium metal produced lower (P less than .01) Se concentrations in kidney and muscle than other supplemental sources. Multiple regression slope ratios were used to estimate relative bioavailability values of 100, 103, 99, 112, and 83 for Na2SeO3, CaSeO3, Na2SeO3 + carrier, Na2SeO4, and Se metal, respectively. When these ratios were corrected for the analyzed dietary Se concentration, relative values were 100, 96, 94, 109, and 81 for the above sources, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Growth characteristics and selenium status changes of yeast cells with inorganic and organic selenium supplementation: selenium, a chemopreventive agent.

We attempted to determine the level and form of selenium (Se) that yielded the maximum Se status of yeast cells, for their evaluation as a source of Se for chemopreventive action. The influence of various Se concentrations from organic (selenomethionine) and inorganic (sodium selenite) Se compounds on growth pattern and cell viability and the alterations in the antioxidant enzyme system of yeast were evaluated. A continuous decrease in cell and colony-forming units counts was observed with increasing concentrations of Se from either source. Increasing Se status of yeast cells was found with increasing concentrations of Se with both forms, with much greater uptake for organic Se at maximum Se concentrations. A continuous increase in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity with increasing Se concentrations in both forms revealed an active Se response in terms of antioxidant activity, with a more pronounced percentage increase with selenomethionine. A highly significant increase in total glutathione was observed with selenomethionine supplementation, compared with sodium selenite. A decreasing trend in reduced glutathione was observed with increasing organic or inorganic Se concentrations. An increasing trend in glutathione-S-transferase activity was observed with increasing Se concentrations for both forms. Significantly higher values of glutathione-S-transferase were associated with the organic form at higher Se concentrations. There was normal activity of Se in mammalian cells. The results showed that an organic Se source more greatly enhances the Se status of yeast cells and hence could help in chemoprevention if consumed by the population.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2005

Effects of selenium depletion and selenium repletion by choice feeding on selenium status of young and old laying hens.

We investigated the effect of choice feeding two diets with different selenium (Se) content to young and old moderately Se-deficient laying hens on serum Se (SSe), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), vitamin E, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Each of two consecutive study parts (I and II) with the same hens and treatments began with a 6-week baseline period (Medium-Se diet), followed by a 9-week depletion period (Low-Se or Medium-Se diet), followed by a 6-week choice period with two different diets offered simultaneously (Medium-Se/Low-Se, Medium-Se/High-Se, or Low-Se/High-Se). During both depletion periods, SSe and GPX gradually decreased, whereas T4 gradually increased in hens fed Low-Se confirming gradual Se-depletion. T3 decreased transiently in young hens only. As reported earlier, Se-deficient hens preferred High-Se over Low-Se diet during the first 3 weeks of choice feeding in part I, not however in part II. This preference resulted in higher SSe in these hens. GPX activity did not reflect feed preference, probably because Se-intake exceeded Se-requirement for maximal GPX activity. In Part II, hens depleted with Low-Se diet had higher SSe when previously offered High-Se diet in either combination, than when offered Low-Se/Medium-Se, presumably due to Se-stores built during choice feeding in part I, which possibly prevented development of Se-deficiency in part II. In addition, in older hens, Se depletion proceeded faster, whereas Se-repletion by choice feeding was slower than in young hens, indicating the increase in Se requirement with advancing age. Vitamin E, ASAT and CK remained largely unchanged by the treatments.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Speciation of selenium and arsenic compounds by capillary electrophoresis with hydrodynamically modified electroosmotic flow and on-line reduction of selenium(VI) to selenium(IV) with hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine four arsenicals and two selenium species. Selenate (SeVI) was reduced on-line to selenite (SeIV) by mixing the CE effluent with concentrated HCl. A microporous PTFE tube was used as a gas-liquid separator to eliminate the 40Ar37Cl and 40Ar35Cl interference from 77Se and 75As, respectively. The direction of the electroosmotic flow during CE was reversed with hydrodynamic pressure, which allowed increased freedom of buffer choice. For conventional pressure injection, method detection limits for SeIV and SeVI based on seven replicate injections were 10 and 24 pg, respectively. Recoveries of SeIV and SeVI in drinking water were measured.

Arsenicals↗

PubMed2003

Selenium and sulfur accumulation and soil selenium dissipation in planting of four herbaceous plant species in soil contaminated with drainage sediment rich in both selenium and sulfur.

Four selenium (Se) nonaccumulator plant species, including a forage grass species, Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a forage legume species, Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a wetland species, Rush (Juncus tenuis Wild.), and a dry-land alkaline soil species, Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata L.), were grown in soil contaminated by agricultural drainage sediment having elevated levels of Se and sulfur (S). The above-ground plant tissues were consecutively harvested five times and examined for Se and S accumulation. Plant tissue Se concentrations ranged from 23.0 mg kg-1 to 8.3 mg kg-1. Tissue S concentrations ranged from 3239 mg kg-1 to 7034 mg kg-1. Both tissue Se and S concentrations were significantly different between harvests, species, and species/harvest interactions. Total Se accumulation by the plant biomass harvested ranged from 0.3 to 1.3 mg per soil column and total S accumulations ranged from 87.5 to 321.1 mg per soil column. The reduction in the percentage of total soil Se after 24 weeks growth of the plant species ranged from 12.0% in the Tall Fescue planting to 17.3% in the Rush planting. Over 90% of the soil Se losses were unidentified losses and leaching of Se was prevented. The accumulations of Se and S in the plant biomass were very small compared with the total soil Se and S losses, but substantial amounts of total soil Se (12.0 to 15.0%) and S (28.0 to 50.9%) inventories were dissipated by the growing and harvesting of the plants. The soil S concentration was several hundred times higher than the soil Se concentration, but Se accumulation by the plants and Se dissipation from the soil were not impaired by the high level of soil sulfur. For natural grassland habitat restoration, such as at the Kesterson Wildlife Refuge in the Central Valley of California, or for restoration of large-scale Se contaminated agricultural lands, Se nonaccumulator plant species are favorable candidates, because the possibility of introducing Se toxicity into the food chain can be minimized.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1988

Selenium intake and serum selenium in Finland: effects of soil fertilization with selenium.

Since fall 1984 all agricultural multinutrient fertilizers in Finland have been supplemented with sodium selenate in an attempt to improve the nutritional quality of local foodstuffs known to be exceptionally low in selenium. The intervention has been effective from the growing season 1985 and it has affected practically all domestic agricultural products. From 1984 to 1986 the mean Se concentration of different foods increased. The mean Se intake of the population, calculated on the basis of food consumption statistics and from the data of urinary Se excretion, as well as the average serum Se concentration of both urban and rural people increased also during the same period. Enrichment of fertilizers with sodium selenate seems an efficient and predictable way of increasing the Se concentration of foods and the Se intake of people in low-Se areas.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Relationship of selenium concentrations in blood of calves to blood selenium of the dam and supplemental selenium.

Selenium status of dam, injected Se, and dietary Ca on calf blood Se concentrations were determined in two trials. Blood was collected from heifer calf and dam pairs at parturition. Half of the calves were injected intramuscularly with .0825 mg Se/kg body weight at birth while the other half received no Se injections. The concentration of Se in the blood of the dam had a significant effect on blood Se of calves at wk 0, 1, and 3, whereas injected Se did not significantly affect blood Se concentrations in the calf until wk 10. In a separate trial, whole blood and plasma Se were significantly correlated at birth in calves, but plasma Se was only about one-third the concentration of whole blood. The concentration of dietary Ca in the calf starter did not significantly affect blood Se, but a quadratic relationship was suggested. Plasma Zn in calves was elevated at birth and then declined with age whereas plasma inorganic P increased with age. Early postnatal concentrations of Se in blood of calves are largely a function of the dam; thus, in areas of low Se intakes, Se supplements for the dam are important.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effect of selenium fertilization on selenium in feedstuffs and selenium, vitamin E, and beta-carotene concentrations in blood of cattle.

Selenium (n = 56), total vitamin E, and homologues of natural vitamin E in feedstuffs (n = 52) and the concentrations of Se (n = 241), vitamin E (n = 244), and beta-carotene (n = 227) in blood were measured. The mean (+/- SD) Se content in hay, grass silage, oats, and barley produced using fertilizers enriched with Se was 0.13 (+/- 0.169), 0.17 (+/- 0.704), 0.23 (+/- 0.107) and 0.21 (+/- 0.119) mg/kg of DM, respectively, and the mean (+/- SD) vitamin E contents, calculated as dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate equivalents, were 39.7 (+/- 13.0), 120.0 (+/- 40.27), 24.4 (+/- 3.83) and 34.5 (+/- 3.57) IU/kg of DM, respectively. The mean Se concentrations in whole blood of cows, heifers, bulls and calves fed hay (n = 62), silage (n = 111), or pasture (n = 68) varied from 183 to 244 micrograms/l. The mean concentrations of total vitamin E in serum of lactating cows fed hay (n = 21), silage (n = 29) or pasture (n = 26) were 2.8 (+/- 1.43), 6.5 (+/- 3.03) and 8.2 (+/- 2.64) mg/l, respectively. For calves, concentrations of vitamin E in serum were as low as 0.25 mg/L. The mean concentration of beta-carotene in serum of lactating cows fed grass silage (n = 26) or pasture (n = 28) was 13.7 (+/- 6.61) and 15.4 (+/- 6.15) mg/L, respectively, but, in lactating cows fed hay (n = 20), concentrations were 2.5 (+/- 1.07) mg/L.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1988

Estimation of the relative bioavailability of inorganic selenium sources for poultry. 1. Effect of time and high dietary selenium on tissue selenium uptake.

An experiment was conducted with male broiler-type chicks to study the effect of time and high dietary Se concentration on tissue Se uptake. A basal corn-soybean meal diet (.2 mg/kg Se, DM basis) was supplemented with 0, 3, 6, or 9 mg/kg Se (as-fed basis) as Na2SeO3 and fed ad libitum for 1, 2, or 3 wk. No toxic effect of Se was observed as expressed by mortality; however, there was a reduction in daily feed intake (P less than .01) at 6 and 9 mg/kg added Se, particularly at 3 wk, suggesting developing toxicosis. Selenium concentration in all tissues studied increased linearly (P less than .001) as dietary Se increased, especially in kidney and liver. Coefficients of determination and lambda criterion values were greatest in plasma, followed by liver, muscle, and kidney. It appeared that 1 wk would be an adequate length of time for further Se bioavailability studies based on tissue Se uptake from diets containing 3 to 9 mg/kg added Se.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Selenium concentrations in feeds and effects of treating pregnant Holstein cows with selenium and vitamin E on blood selenium values and reproductive performance.

Holstein cows (n = 104) and heifers (n = 35) were used to determine the effects of treatment with selenium (Se) and vitamin E on whole blood Se values and fertility. At 21 +/- 3 days before parturition, 55 cows and 19 heifers were injected with 680 IU of vitamin E and 50 mg of Se as sodium selenite. Treatment had no effect on days to first estrus, days to first service, days to conception, services per conception, or number of uterine infusions required. Blood samples were obtained from 33 nontreated cows and heifers and 32 treated animals at 21 and 14 days (+/- 3) before calving and at 7 and 14 days (+/- 3) after calving. Mean whole blood Se level at -21 days (day 0 was day of parturition) and before Se-vitamin E treatment was 0.109 micrograms/ml. At days -14, 7, and 14, blood Se was significantly higher in the treated than the non-treated animals. Blood Se was lower on all sampling days in cows calving in July through November than in cows calving in December through April. Heifers in their 1st lactation had lower blood Se concentrations than did cows in their 2nd or later lactation. In feeds sampled at 2-week intervals, mean concentrations of Se in Bahia grass, mixed ryegrass and oats, corn silage, and sorghum silage were less than 0.1 micrograms/g on a dry matter basis. Bermuda grass, alfalfa hay, and concentrates contained greater than 0.1 micrograms of Se/g. Large variation existed in Se concentrations of individual feedstuffs.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1985

Comparative utilization of fish selenium and inorganic selenite by rats of normal selenium status.

Rats of a normal selenium status were fed diets based on fish (rainbow trout) as the main protein source. A 4-week experiment with three dietary groups (low fish selenium, high fish selenium and selenite supplementation) was performed, and the selenium absorption, excretion and retention were recorded. Samples of blood serum, liver, kidneys, testes, hairs, spleen, lungs, heart, brain and skeletal muscle were collected for analysis of selenium. Glutathione peroxidase activity was measured in the blood serum. A selenium supplementation of approximately 1 mg/kg (high fish selenium and selenite group) yielded a selenium retention of only 7% of the intake, while in the group with a dietary selenium concentration of approximately 0.1 mg/kg (low fish selenium group) the selenium retention was 50%, resulting in almost the same absolute selenium retention in all three groups. The liver and kidneys showed the highest accumulations of selenium, reflecting the participation of these organs in the excretion of surplus selenium. The highest relative uptake of selenium was recorded in the testes, which increased equally in all dietary groups. The selenium concentration in the other tissues investigated, as well as the glutathione peroxidase activity in the blood serum responded little to the selenium supplementations. These results showed that the selenium levels normally found in fish were sufficient to satisfy the need for this element in rats of a good selenium status, and that inorganic selenite was absorbed and excreted at a high rate already after 1 week.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Selenium and the selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in rheumatoid arthritis.

Selenium is an essential component in the two antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PLGSH-Px). Free oxygen radicals are involved in the inflammatory process seen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are generated mainly through the phagocytic activity of the polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Several experimental studies indicate that selenium is important to the functioning of the immune system and to the inflammatory process. A low selenium status among patients with RA has been reported from areas with both high and low natural selenium intake. The reduction in the serum level is approx. 10%. This reduction is related to the clinical disease activity in arthritis patients in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, and selenium concentrations have been found to fluctuate during the disease. Reduced selenium concentrations have been reported in red blood cells, too, and concentrations have been found to be slightly reduced in the polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Studies do not agree on the activity of GSH-Px among RA patients. Thus activity levels have been reported to range from low to high. Those studies that have focused on the subgroup of patients with high persistent disease activity have reported reduced GSH-Px activities in both serum, red blood cells and polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Selenium supplementation using organic selenium compounds in doses of around 250 microgram/day increases the selenium concentration in serum and red blood cells considerably. However, supplementation is not reflected in the selenium level in polymorphonuclear leucocytes from RA patients as opposed to healthy subjects, in whom the level of selenium in polymorphonuclear leucocytes increases. Selenium supplementation increased GSH-Px activity in serum, red blood cells and platelets from RA patients, but in the polymorphonuclear leucocytes the increase was not sufficient to reach the levels of the controls. This apparent lack of de novo synthesis of GSH-Px in polymorphonuclear leucocytes from RA patients may be explained by their inability to increase their selenium content in spite of high levels of available extracellular selenium. this may be in accordance with the lack of anti-arthritic effect of selenium supplementation in controlled clinical studies among RA patients. Several experimental studies have reported inhibition of GSH-Px by antirheumatic drugs, in particular gold. In addition, gold has been found to reduce selenium in rat plasma. These interactions can, however, be modified by increasing the amount of selenium in the feed. Among RA patients there is no clear evidence of an interaction between gold, selenium and GSH-Px.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Deletion of selenoprotein P upregulates urinary selenium excretion and depresses whole-body selenium content.

Deletion of the mouse selenoprotein P gene (Sepp1) lowers selenium concentrations in many tissues. We examined selenium homeostasis in Sepp1(-/-) and Sepp1(+/+) mice to assess the mechanism of this. The liver produces and exports selenoprotein P, which transports selenium to peripheral tissues, and urinary selenium metabolites, which regulate whole-body selenium. At intakes of selenium near the nutritional requirement, Sepp1(-/-) mice had whole-body selenium concentrations 72 to 75% of Sepp1(+/+) mice. Genotype did not affect dietary intake of selenium. Sepp1(-/-) mice excreted in their urine approximately 1.5 times more selenium in relation to their whole-body selenium than did Sepp1(+/+) mice. In addition, Sepp1(-/-) mice gavaged with (75)SeO(2-)(3) excreted 1.7 to 2.4 times as much of the (75)Se in the urine as did Sepp1(+/+) mice. These findings demonstrate that deletion of selenoprotein P raises urinary excretion of selenium. When urinary small-molecule (75)Se was injected intravenously into mice, over 90% of the (75)Se appeared in the urine within 24 h, regardless of selenium status. This shows that urinary selenium is dedicated to excretion and not to utilization by tissues. Our results indicate that deletion of selenoprotein P leads to increased urinary selenium excretion. We propose that the absence of selenoprotein P synthesis in the liver makes more selenium available for urinary metabolite synthesis, increasing loss of selenium from the organism and causing the decrease in whole-body selenium and some of the decreases observed in tissues of Sepp1(-/-) mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Effect of the application of selenium on selenium content of soybean and its products.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of the application of selenium on the selenium content of soybean and its products in two counties with selenium-deficient soil. Selenium-enriched soybean was produced by the application of sodium selenite and Se-enriched fertilizer. The selenium contents of soybeans, soybean protein and okra were determined by hydride-generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that the selenium contents of soybean, soybean protein, and okra were significantly increased by the application of sodium selenite and selenium-enriched fertilizer. Foliar application of selenium provided a higher efficiency for increasing the selenium content of soybean than soil application. Significant differences were found in that soybean cultivars exhibited different accumulation of selenium. There was no remarkable difference in soybean yield, soybean protein, and lipid between selenium and control. The selenium-enriched protein derived from selenium-enriched soybean could be used as a functional ingredient and soybean okra as a selenium-enriched feed for animals for increasing selenium intake.

China↗

PubMed1998

[Effects of selenium polysaccharide and sodium selenite on blood selenium concentration and liver cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system in rat].

The effects of selenium polysaccharide and sodium selenite administered by single or repetitive intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) on blood selenium concentration, the activities of liver cytochrome P450, b5 as well as NAD(P)H cytochrome C reductase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione were studied in rats. The biological effects of selenium polysaccharide and sodium selenite were also compared. The results indicated that the blood selenium concentration was increased rapidly and reached the peak in 2 hours followed by gradual decline after selenium polysaccharide and sodium selenite were i.p. injected at a dose of Se 0.6 mg/kg. The absorption and eliminating rates of Se from sodium selenite were faster than that from selenium polysaccharide. Administration of selenium polysaccharide and sodium selenite at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg by i.p. increased the blood selenium concentration to 2.6 and 2.1 times of those of control group, respectively, and the blood selenium concentration of selenium polysaccharide group was significantly higher than that of sodium selenite group (P < 0.05). The activities of liver cytochrome P450, b5 and GST were inhibited by selenium polysaccharide and sodium selenium in vivo and in vitro experiments. Those proteins were decreased to 57%, 70% and 62% of the control, respectively, by selenium polysaccharide which has particularly stronger effects on cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system (P < 0.05). The two selenium compounds did not appear to affect the activity of NAD(P)H cytochrome C reductase. Both of the selenium polysaccharide and sodium selenite could enhance the activity of glutathion peroxidase significantly (P < 0.05).

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Information on the selenium status of several body compartments of rats from the selenium concentrations in blood fractions, hair and nails.

The suitability of the selenium concentrations in blood plasma, red blood cells, hair and nails to serve as indicators for the selenium status in the main body pools and for the chemical forms of the element ingested was investigated in an animal model. Selenium-deficient male rats, fed a methionine-supplemented low selenium diet, were replenished over a period of 3 months by repeated oral administration of 75Se-labeled sodium selenite or L-selenomethionine in amounts equivalent to the intake from diets with selenium concentrations of 0.3 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg. As the tracer was found to reflect the selenium distribution in the main compartments, quantitative selenium analysis in whole body, liver, skeletal muscle, heart and the monitor materials in the four groups was carried out by measuring the 75Se activity. The blood selenium level was the most suitable parameter for assessing the selenium status in the liver, while the nail selenium concentration was most suited for whole body, skeletal muscle and heart. The differences in the amount and chemical form of dietary selenium were best reflected by the ratios of the selenium levels in hair and plasma or in nails and plasma. The results suggest that with adequate or high selenium intake it might be possible to obtain information on the selenium status of the main body compartments by evaluating the selenium concentrations in several appropriate monitor materials.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of the interactions between selenium and phosphorus on the growth and selenium accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa).

The solution culture, paddy soil culture and the simulation experiments in the laboratory were conducted to clarify the interactions between selenium and phosphorus, and its effects on the growth and selenium accumulation in rice. Results revealed that a suitable supply of selenium could promote rice growth and excessive selenium could injure rice plant, causing lower biomass, especially in the roots. The supply of selenite could enhance the selenium contents of rice shoots and roots in solution culture and in soil culture. The selenium concentrations in roots were much higher than those in shoots supplied with the same rates of selenium and phosphorus. The interaction between selenium and phosphorus was evident. When the phosphorus supply increased to meet the needs of plant growth, phosphorus could promote absorption and accumulation of selenium in the shoots. If the phosphorus supply was excessive, phosphorus could inhibit the accumulation of selenium in the shoots at the lower selenite level (2 micromol l(-1)), but could not at the higher selenite level (10 micromol l(-1)). With the supply of phosphate increased, the selenium concentrations in the roots decreased significantly at both selenite levels. The presence of phosphate could decrease Se sorption on the soil surface and increase the selenium concentration in the soil solution. The concentrations of selenium in shoots and roots supplied with 0.08 g kg(-1) phosphorus were lower than those with no phosphorus supplied. With the increase of phosphorus added to 0.4 g kg(-1), the selenium concentration in shoots and roots increased. The effect of phosphorus on the concentration was statistically significant at all three selenium levels.

Absorption↗

PubMed2004

Dietary selenium intake by men and women in high and low selenium areas of Punjab.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the selenium intake of adults residing in high and low selenium areas of rural Punjab. DESIGN: All food samples consumed by the subjects were collected and analysed for selenium content. Based on food intake data and selenium content of foods, the selenium intake of the subjects was calculated. Hair, fingernails and urine samples from a sub-sample of subjects were collected and analysed for selenium. SETTING: Three villages from the selenium-endemic area of Nawan Shahr District and two villages from the non-endemic area of Ludhiana District, Punjab, India, were covered. SUBJECTS: Forty families from each of the two areas, with one adult male and one adult female in the age range of 20-40 years, were surveyed. Thus a total of 80 men and 80 women constituted the study sample. RESULTS: In the selenium-endemic area, the average selenium intake of both men and women was more than nine times that in the non-endemic area and exceeded the maximum tolerable limit in more than 60% of men. Mean selenium content of the hair, nails and urine of both men and women was tens of times higher than in the non-endemic area. CONCLUSIONS: High selenium intake in the endemic area resulted in high selenium content in the hair, nails and urine of men and women. In addition, clinical symptoms of selenium toxicity were also observed in some of the subjects. Selenium intake in the non-endemic area was marginally below the suggested value. Based on the study results, steps need to be taken to educate the public in the endemic area to avoid selenium toxicity.

Adult↗