Selenium Role in Reproduction, Pregnant/Postpartum Women and Neonates: A Current Study

Background: Selenium is a micronutrient, although required in low amounts, its importance in male and female reproduction is well known. Objectives: The core purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of selenium in human reproduction, during pregnancy/ lactation in women and newborns. The review explains side by side the sources of selenium, required amounts of selenium in humans and during pregnancy or lactation. Methods: Selenium deficiency is a major cause of male infertility. Similarly, selenium deficiency, both in pregnant and postpartum women, would greatly affect the health of the newborn baby in all respects. The effect of maternal selenium upon the fetus and the neonates even one year after birth has been explained with some recent examples. Results: The study elaborates the fact that the selenium deficiency in pregnancy and lactation is common due to fetal/infant development, so selenium supplements must be provided in order to overcome these deficiency symptoms. Conclusions: The better reproductive health in humans is possible due to the sufficient amounts of selenium present both in males and females as well.

Production of enriched lamb in biodegradable packaging

The paper describes an environmentally safe technology for biofortifying lamb with target components in required concentrations packed in biodegradable film. To address the problem of micronutrient deficiency, we developed a biologically safe method of enriching lamb with organic iodine and selenium supplements. Introducing selenium and iodine feed supplements to the animals’ diet increased the average daily growth of their live mass in experimental groups by 3.43, 6.72, and 14.92% in groups I (iodine), II (selenium), and III (iodine and selenium), respectively, compared to the control group (feed only). The analysis of immunephysiological status showed an increase in phagocytic number in experimental groups: by 5.1% (P > 0.95), 9.4%, and 14.5% in groups I, II, III, respectively. In addition, the highest phagocytic activity and phagocytic intensity were observed in animals of group II and group III, indicating their higher resistance to adverse environmental factors, compared to the control. There was an increase in iodine, selenium and zinc content in the lamb meat from the experimental groups grown on enriched diets. We recorded a higher concentration of the micronutrients in the lambs receiving “Yoddar-Zn” and “DAFS-25” supplements together (Zn – 980 μg/100 g; Se – 53.9 μg/100 g; I – 77.6 μg/100 g). We found that the contents of zinc, selenium, and iodine in 100 g of m. Longissimus dorsi were 8.2%, 77.0%, and 51.7%, respectively, of the required content in the daily diet. Thus, we can use this raw material to produce functional meat products. Packaging lamb in sodium alginate-based biodegradable film helped reduce moisture loss during storage.

The Toxicity of Synthetic and Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles on Human Brain Glioblastoma Cell Line: An in vitro Comparison

Background: Brain tumors can be serious and life-threatening when they are treated effectively. Many therapeutic approaches, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have been used to treat brain tumors. In this regard, selenium supplements have been reported effective.Methods: Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) were produced in two forms of synthetic and biogenic to evaluate their cytotoxicity on brain glioblastoma cell lines. A-172 cell line was cultured in DMEM medium. The cytotoxicity of the synthetic and biogenic SeNP was assessed by MTT assay. Results: There was a significant difference between the group treated with biogenic and synthetic SeNP compared with non-treated cells after 24, 48, and 72 h. Both biogenic and synthetic SeNP increased Bax gene and decreased Bcl-2 gene expression. Conclusion: It seems that biogenic SeNP was more lethal than its synthetic form. Therefore, it should be considered that the method of NP construction may be an important parameter for its bioactivity.

Effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized, controlled trial

Background: There is limited evidence about the anti-diabetic effects of selenium supplementation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective: This study investigates the effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis in women with GDM. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 pregnant women with GDM were enrolled in this prospective randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. They were randomly assigned to take either 100μg selenium supplements as tablet or a placebo daily for 12 wk since 24-28 wk of gestation. The primary outcomes were changes in the glucose homeostasis, including fasting plasma glucose, the 2-hr post prandial blood glucose, serum insulin level, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA_IR) at the initial period and 3 months after intervention. Results: The mean maternal age of the patients who took selenium supplements was 29.19 ± 6.16 (range 18-41) years. In the placebo group, the mean maternal age was 31 ± 4.43 (range 24-39) years. Compared with the placebo group, fasting plasma glucose, 2- hr post-prandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin(Hb A1C), serum insulin level, and homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance(HOMA_IR) were not significantly changed in the selenium group at the end of study (p = 0.25, p = 0.87, p = 0.34, p = 0.57, and p = 0.31, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this trial suggest that supplementation with 100μg of selenium does not modulate glucose homeostasis in women with GDM. Key words: Diabetes, Gestational, Selenium.

2528. Inflammation and Plasma Selenium and Chromium in Ugandan Children Living with HIV

Background Selenium deficiency has been reported to be associated with HIV disease progression and chromium deficiency with insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. Here, we assessed selenium and chromium status in a cohort of Ugandan HIV+, HIV exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV negative (HIV−) children and their associations with markers of systemic inflammation, immune activation, and gut integrity. Methods This is a cross-sectional study in HIV+, HEU and HIV unexposed uninfected (HIV-) children aged 2–10 years old enrolled in Uganda. HIV+ children were on stable ART with undetectable viral load. We measured plasma concentrations of selenium and chromium as well as markers of systemic inflammation, monocyte activation, gut integrity and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results Among HIV+ children (n = 57), 93% had viral load ≤ 20 copies/mL, mean CD4 was 34% and 77% were receiving a non-nucleotide reserve transcriptase regimen. Mean age of all participants was 7 years and 55% were girls. Mean selenium concentrations were higher in the HIV+ group (106 µg/L) compared with the HEU (84 µg/L) and HIV− (98 µg/L) groups (p . Mean chromium concentrations were 1 µg/L; 1 HIV+ child and 6 HEU children had chromium levels > 1 µg/L (p. Conclusion In this cohort of HIV+ children on ART in Uganda, plasma selenium and chromium concentrations appear sufficient. Higher plasma selenium concentrations were associated with lower systemic inflammation and higher gut integrity markers. Although our findings do not support the use of selenium supplementation broadly for HIV-infected children in Uganda, further studies are warranted to assess the role of selenium supplements in attenuating heightened inflammation. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.