Comparison of Serum and Dietary Selenium Levels in Participants with a Positive History of Recurrent Herpes Lesions and Healthy Individuals

Aim. In this study, we aimed to compare the level of serum and dietary selenium in participants with a positive history of recurrent herpes labial lesions and healthy controls. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study, conducted during 2020-2021, evaluated the selenium serum level of 40 participants with a positive history of recurrent herpes labial lesions who had referred to Motahhari Laboratory in Shiraz, compared with 38 healthy controls. The selenium level of the serum was assessed by an absorption device, Atomic Graphite Furnace Model FS-240-AAS, made by a US Company. Independent T -test was used to compare the selenium level of males and females. In order to assess the mean age value and gender distribution between the two evaluated groups, the independent T -test and chi-square test were used, respectively. The serum selenium level was compered between both control and test groups. Results. The level of serum selenium was not statistically correlated with its dietary level in group 1 (participants with recurrent herpes labialis, P value = 0.18) and group 2 (healthy controls, P value = 0.6). The serum selenium level was compared between groups 1 and 2, which was significantly higher in healthy controls ( P value < 0.0001). In contrast, dietary selenium level was not significantly different between patients with a history of herpes labialis and healthy controls ( P value = 0.48). The level of serum selenium was not statistically correlated with its dietary level in group 1 ( P value = 0.18) and group 2 ( P value = 0.6). Conclusion. Patients with recurrent herpes labialis had lower serum selenium level as compared to the healthy controls.

Serum Selenium Level and 10-Year Survival after Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive human malignancies. The determination of prognostic biomarkers is important for the early detection of recurrence and for the enrollment of the patients into different treatment regimens. Herein, we report the 10-year survival of 375 melanoma patients depending on their serum selenium levels. The study group was followed up from the date of melanoma diagnosis until death or 2020. Patients were assigned to one of four categories, in accordance with the increasing selenium level (I–IV quartiles). The subgroup with low selenium levels had a significant lower survival rate in relation to patients with high selenium levels, HR = 8.42; p = 0.005 and HR = 5.83; p = 0.02, for uni- and multivariable models, respectively. In the univariable analysis, we also confirmed the association between Breslow thickness, Clark classification and age at melanoma prognosis. In conclusion, a low serum selenium level was associated with an increased mortality rate in the 10 years following melanoma diagnosis. Future studies in other geographic regions with low soil selenium levels should be conducted to confirm our findings.

Serum Selenium Level Predicts 10-Year Survival after Breast Cancer

In a recent prospective study, we reported an association between a low serum selenium level and five-year survival among breast cancer patients. We now have updated the cohort to include 10-year survival rates. A blood sample was obtained from 538 women diagnosed with first primary invasive breast cancer between 2008 and 2015 in the region of Szczecin, Poland. Blood was collected before initiation of treatment. Serum selenium levels were quantified by mass spectroscopy. Each patient was assigned to one of four quartiles based on the distribution of serum selenium levels in the whole cohort. Patients were followed from diagnosis until death or last known alive (mean follow-up 7.9 years). The 10-year actuarial cumulative survival was 65.1% for women in the lowest quartile of serum selenium, compared to 86.7% for women in the highest quartile (p < 0.001 for difference). Further studies are needed to confirm the protective effect of selenium on breast cancer survival. If confirmed this may lead to an investigation of selenium supplementation on survival of breast cancer patients.

Relationship Between Selenium Trace and Patient Outcome After Open-Heart Surgery

Background: Acute stress response to heart surgery can cause major morbidity in patients. The trace of selenium is useful for preventing heart damage. Although the trend of selenium changes is of high importance for body balance, the usefulness of routine use and effectiveness of this element for patients under open-heart surgery is still unclear. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing serum selenium level before and after open-heart surgery and the relationship between selenium trace and patient outcome. Methods: This prospective analytical study was performed on 100 patients undergoing open-heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In all patients, the serum level was measured at a predetermined time (before surgery and one and two days after surgery). Then, the relationship between serum selenium and patient outcome was assessed. Results: The mean serum selenium level in patients on admission was 72.90 ± 14.62 μg/L, one day after surgery was 71.20 ± 15.84 μg/L, and two days after surgery was 71.54 ± 15.97 μg/L. Serum selenium levels were inversely and significantly associated with age (r = -0.183; P = 0.034, 013) duration of surgery (r = -221 and P = 0.014), duration of intensive care unit stay (r = 0.204, P = 0.021), and duration of CPB (r = 0.223, P = 013). Conclusions: Based on this study’s results, a low level of selenium can affect patients’ outcomes after open-heart surgery.