Selenium status of term infants fed selenium-supplemented formula in a randomized dose-response trial

BACKGROUND: The optimal form and dose of selenium supplementation required to achieve indicators of selenium status equivalent to those in breastfed infants are unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the effect of fortifying infant formula (6 microg Se/L) with 2 concentrations of selenate (7 and 15 microg/L) on biochemical indicators of selenium status and growth at 16 wk in term infants. DESIGN: A randomized dose-response trial was conducted in 3 groups of term infants fed formula with different selenium concentrations [6 microg/L, F+0 (control); 13 microg/L, F+7; and 21 microg/L, F+15] and in a parallel breastfed reference group (BF; 11 +/- 2 microg Se/L). RESULTS: One hundred sixty-one (47% males) infants completed the 16-wk study. Baseline plasma selenium was 0.3 +/- 0.1 micromol/L. At 16 wk, plasma selenium had increased in all groups (P < 0.001) and was greater (P < 0.01) in the F+7 and F+15 groups and lower (P < 0.05) in the F+0 group than in the BF group. Plasma glutathione peroxidase increased in the F+15 group, decreased in the F+0 group, and, at 16 wk, was lower in the F+0 group than in the other groups (all P < 0.05). Erythrocyte selenium and glutathione peroxidase decreased in all groups (P < 0.05), but the magnitude of the change was greater in the F+0 than in the F+15 group (P < 0.05). There was no effect of selenium supplementation on growth. CONCLUSIONS: Selenate fortification of formula resulted in an increase in plasma indicators of selenium status relative to indicators observed in infants fed low-selenium-containing formula. Although the erythrocyte indicators decreased in all groups, the 21-microg/L dose (F+15 group) resulted in a smaller decrease and in higher erythrocyte selenium than did the standard formula. Supplementation of low-selenium formula to provide a net selenium concentration close to that found in the breast milk of US women (18 microg/L) may be justified.     

Selenium status in term and preterm infants during the first months of life

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have reduced serum and red blood cell (RBC) selenium (Se) at birth, which decrease further with current nutrition and are associated with chronic lung disease and septicaemia. DESIGN: We studied Se intake, concentration in serum and RBCs and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in preterm and term infants from birth until 16 weeks. Data are mean+/-standard deviation (s.d.). SETTING: Seventy-two preterm infants in two groups, born in Berlin, gestational age 26+0/30+0 weeks, birth weight 845/1270 g, with low Se intake (2.2+/-0.8/2.5+/-1.2 microg/kg/day), and 55 term infants, gestational age 39+1 weeks, birth weight 3160 g, born in Venezuela (high Se intake: 29+/-8 microg/day). RESULTS: A balance study in 10 preterm infants showed that Se is well absorbed from human milk (77+/-9%). Serum concentration was higher in term (142.0+/-40.0 microg/l) than in preterm infants (17.8+/-8.1/19.9+/-2.2 microg/l) at 4/7 weeks. Serum and RBC concentration of Se declined in all infants, low values in preterm infants did not correlate with chronic lung disease and septicaemia. GSH-Px activity in RBCs remained stable until 6 weeks of age in all infants and was not correlated with Se in RBCs. CONCLUSIONS: Se concentration in serum decreases during the first weeks of life and depends on intake. GSH-Px activity is not useful as a marker for Se status in infants up to 16 weeks after birth.     

过量碘对仔鼠脑神经颗粒素表达的影响及硒的干预作用

目的研究过量碘摄入对小鼠仔鼠脑神经颗粒素表达的影响及硒的干预作用。方法将60只BALB／c小鼠用随机数字表法随机分为4组：正常对照组（饮用自来水,NC）、过量碘组（饮水3000μg／LI,EI^＋）、单独补硒组（饮水200μg／LSe,Se^＋）、过量碘加硒组（饮水3000μg／LI＋200μg/Lse,EI＋Se^＋）。以纯系鼠饲料饲养。4个月后,雌雄交配。测定14和28d龄仔鼠血清总T4（T4）和总T3（T3）水平,用免疫组织化学法和Western blot测定14和28d龄仔鼠大脑组织神经颗粒素蛋白的表达。结果14d龄仔鼠血清T4水平过量碘组（68．78±11．10）nmoL／L低于对照组（100．85±11．47）nmoL／L和过量碘加硒组（93．15±12．10）nmol／L。Western blot研究结果显示14d龄仔鼠脑组织神经颗粒素相对水平过量碘组0．621±0．041低于正常对照组0．841±0．039和EI^＋Se^＋0．781±0．029。过量碘和补硒对28d龄仔鼠血清T4和T3水平和脑组织神经颗粒素表达水平无明显影响。结论过量碘引起仔鼠脑神经颗粒素表达异常,补硒具有缓解作用。     

The retention and distribution by healthy young men of stable isotopes of selenium consumed as selenite, selenate or hydroponically-grown broccoli are dependent on the isotopic form

Twenty-seven healthy young men were randomly assigned to diets that supplied low (32.6 microg/d) or high (226.5 microg/d) levels of selenium for a 105-d study. After consuming the diets for 85 d, subjects were fed a test meal that contained 74Se in the form of selenite or selenate and 82Se incorporated into hydroponically-raised broccoli. Urine, fecal and blood samples were collected daily. Isotope absorption was not different (P > 0.05) for selenate and Se in broccoli; Se absorption from selenite was highly variable and was not included in statistical analyses. Significantly more isotope was absorbed by subjects fed the high Se diet (P = 0. 015). Urinary isotope excretion was greater when selenate was fed than when broccoli was fed (P = 0.0001), and consequently more Se from broccoli (as compared to selenate) was retained (59.2 +/- 2.4 and 36.4 +/- 4.6% for Se in broccoli and selenate, respectively; P = 0.0001). Despite the higher retention, less isotope from broccoli than from selenate was present in the plasma. Plasma proteins separated by gel permeation chromatography showed that most of the isotopes were distributed between two medium molecular weight peaks. Less isotope was found in plasma proteins of subjects fed the high Se diet, but the form of Se had no effect on isotope distribution. These results show that dietary Se intake alters the retention of stable isotopes of Se and that humans retain and distribute Se from broccoli in a different manner than Se from inorganic salts.     

Dietary selenium requirements based on glutathione peroxidase-1 activity and mRNA levels and other Se-dependent parameters are not increased by pregnancy and lactation in rats

The hierarchy of selenium (Se) requirements for growing rats ranges from <0.01 to 0.1 microg Se/g diet, depending on the choice of Se status parameter. To further evaluate the efficacy of molecular biology markers to determine Se requirements in later periods of the life cycle, which are less amenable to traditional approaches, we studied pregnant and lactating rats. Female weanling rats were fed a Se-deficient diet (<0.01 microg Se/g) or supplemented with graded levels of dietary Se (0-0.3 microg Se/g) for >10 wk, bred, and killed on d 1, 12, and 18 of pregnancy and d 7 and 18 of lactation; Se response curves were determined for 10 parameters including liver glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Growth, and mRNA levels for selenoprotein P, 5'-deiodinase, and GPX4 were not decreased by Se deficiency. GPX4 activity required 0.05 microg Se/g diet for maximum activity, similar to growing rats. Dietary Se requirements for plasma GPX3 activity decreased 33% in pregnancy, but returned during lactation to the requirement of growing rats. The Se requirement for GPX1 activity decreased 25% in pregnancy but not in lactation. GPX1 mRNA required 0.05 microg Se/g diet for maximum levels in both pregnancy and lactation, similar to growing rats. Clearly, Se requirements do not increase during pregnancy and lactation relative to Se requirements in growing rats. Unexpectedly, Se-adequate levels of GPX1 mRNA and activity declined to <40 and 50%, respectively, of nonpregnant Se-adequate levels during pregnancy and lactation, illustrating the need to fully understand biomarkers at all stages of the life cycle.     

Selenium distribution in blood fractions of New Zealand women taking organic or inorganic selenium

Three groups of 11 New Zealand women each received, for 32 wk, yeast tablets with no added selenium (placebo) or 200 micrograms Se/d in tablets either as selenate or as selenium-enriched yeast (SeMet) in a double-blind selenium trial. Plasma and erythrocyte (RBC) samples were collected bimonthly. Gel filtration of plasma from women taking SeMet revealed two major selenium-containing peaks with most of the selenium in the second peak. In contrast, the first peak contained most of the selenium in plasma from women taking selenate. Chromatography of RBC lysates indicated that the majority of the selenium was with hemoglobin (Hb) in women taking SeMet but was about equally distributed between glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and Hb in women taking selenate. The percentage of selenium associated with GSH-Px was found to be greater in RBCs and plasma of women taking selenate than of those taking SeMet.     

Glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and selenium status in HIV-positive and HIV-negative adolescents and young adults

BACKGROUND: Antioxidant nutrient deficiencies may hasten the progression of HIV disease by impairing antioxidant defenses. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether HIV infection is associated with poor selenium status and low antioxidant protection by glutathione and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study of 365 HIV-positive and HIV-negative adolescents and young adults, we examined the relation of plasma selenium, whole-blood glutathione, and whole-blood GPX to HIV status, disease severity, immune activation, and oxidative damage. RESULTS: Selenium deficiency (plasma selenium < 0.070 microg/mL) was not seen in any subjects, and plasma selenium in 244 HIV-positive subjects (0.120 +/- 0.0013 microg/mL) did not differ significantly (P = 0.071) from that in 121 HIV-negative subjects (0.125 +/- 0.0020 microg/mL) . However, multiple regression analysis after adjustment for covariates showed a significant (P = 0.002) negative association between HIV-associated immune activation (plasma neopterin) and plasma selenium concentrations. GPX activity was highest in HIV-positive subjects taking antiretroviral therapy (median: 14.2; 25th, 75th percentiles: 11.1, 18.7 U/mL; n = 130), intermediate in HIV-positive subjects not taking antiretroviral therapy (11.8; 9.4, 15.1 U/mL; n = 114), and lowest in HIV-negative subjects (10.6; 8.6, 12.7 U/mL; n = 121; P < 0.05 for all comparisons). GPX was also positively associated with malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative damage. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects had adequate selenium status, although HIV-related immune activation was associated with lower plasma selenium concentrations. GPX activity appears to have been induced by the oxidative stress associated with HIV infection and use of antiretroviral therapy. Thus, young, well-nourished subjects can mount a compensatory antioxidant response to HIV infection.     

Effect of intermittent supplementation with selenate on selenium status of rats fed selenium-deficient diet

To examine the selenium (Se) status of rats intermittently supplemented with Se, we measured tissue Se contents and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in rats fed a Se-deficient diet intermittently supplemented with selenate. In experiment 1, four groups of male 4-wk-old Wistar rats were fed a Torula yeast-based Se-deficient diet (Se content, < 0.01 microg/g) for 28 d. During the experimental period, the diet of each group was supplemented with sodium selenate (0.17 microg Se/g) for 0, 1, 2 or 7 d/wk. The tissue Se contents and GPx activities both increased gradually with an increase in frequency of the selenate supplementation, and significant linear regressions were observed between the frequency and these Se indices. In particular, the correlation coefficient in the liver and plasma indices was nearly equal to a value of 1.0. In experiment 2, three groups of rats were fed the Se-deficient basal diet for 28 d. Among these, one group was daily supplemented with sodium selenate to the Se-deficient diet at a level of 0.17 microg Se/g, and another group was intermittently supplemented with the selenate at a level of 1.19 microg Se/g for 1 d/wk. The tissue Se contents and GPx activities both were increased by the selenate supplementation and no significant difference was observed between daily and weekly supplementation in the Se indices except in erythrocyte Se. These results indicate that Se status in the growth period is dependent on total Se intake in this period and that weekly intermittent supplementation with Se can maintain adequate Se status.     

Maternal selenium status in Slovenia and its impact on the selenium concentration of umbilical cord serum and colostrum

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess serum selenium (Se) level of Slovenian mothers at birth and to elucidate its impact on the Se content of umbilical cord serum of their newborns and of that of colostrum. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In sera of 20 Slovenian mothers at delivery and in the corresponding umbilical cord sera of their newborns Se concentrations were determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). In addition Se levels in 10 healthy female blood donors were determined. Colostrum samples of 18 mothers collected on the second and third day post partum were also investigated for their Se content. RESULTS: Serum Se concentrations of mothers showed to be 62+/-15 microg/l. Umbilical cord sera had 34+/-7 microg/l, which amounts to 55% of the maternal content. Concentrations of Se in colostrum ranged from 17 to 48 microg/l with a mean of 29+/-10 microg/l. In the sera of female blood donors the mean was 66+/-15 microg/l. A significant correlation (P<0.002) between the Se content of maternal and umbilical sera could be established. No significant correlation was found between maternal serum Se concentration and that of colostrum. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that dietary Se intake for pregnant women in Slovenia is borderline.     

Selenium from high selenium broccoli protects rats from colon cancer

Colon cancer is the third most common newly diagnosed cancer in the United States and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Previous supplementation studies have demonstrated the efficacy of selenium (Se) for prevention of colon cancer in humans. The metabolism of Se depends on its chemical form, and studies have shown that the chemical form of Se in broccoli does not accumulate in the body as fast as other forms of Se and may be especially beneficial for prevention of cancer. In the first experiment of the present study, Fisher F-344 rats (n = 45) were allotted randomly to torula yeast-based diets supplemented with the following: 1) no Se; 2) 0.1 microg Se/g diet as selenate; 3) 1.0 microg Se/g diet as selenate; 4) 0.1 microg Se/g diet as selenized broccoli (Se concentration of approximately 500 microg/g); or 5) 1.0 microg Se/g diet as selenized broccoli. In Experiment 2, rats (n = 80) were allotted randomly to the same basal diet supplemented with the following: 1) no added Se; 2) 2.0 microg Se/g diet as selenite; 3) 2. 0 microg Se/g diet as selenite + low Se broccoli; and 4) 2.0 microg Se/g diet as selenized broccoli. Rats were fed the diets for 2 wk and injected with a chemical carcinogen (3,2 dimethyl 4-amino biphenyl or dimethyl-hydrazine in Experiment 1 or dimethyl hydrazine in Experiment 2; 2 rats/treatment were used as vehicle controls). Supranutritional amounts of Se supplied as high Se broccoli significantly decreased (P: < 0.05) the incidence of aberrant crypts (AC) and aberrant crypt foci (ACF; preneoplastic lesions indicative of colon cancer) compared with other dietary treatments. Diets were controlled for the presence or absence of broccoli and for the total amount of Se. The reduction in AC and ACF was a function of Se in high Se broccoli and not a result of broccoli alone or Se alone. Adequate dietary Se supplied as high Se broccoli did not accumulate in tissues or increase glutathione peroxidase activity as well as other forms and amounts of Se. Thus, Se from high Se broccoli may be metabolized in a manner that diverts much of the Se into a pool that provides protection against colon cancer.     

Effect of selenium supplementation on biochemical markers and outcome in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study aimed to assess the effect of high dose selenium (Se) supplementation on Se status in blood, oxidative stress, thyroid function and possible effects on requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in severely septic patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: This prospective single-centre study was carried out in 40 septic ICU patients who were randomized to high dose Se (Se+ group, N=18 (474, 316, 158 microg/day), each for 3 consecutive days followed by a standard dose of 31.6 microg/day of Se given as sodium selenite whereas the control group (Se-, N=22) received only the standard dose of Se. Plasma Se, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), F2 isoprostanes, thyroid function tests (total T4 and total T3), C-reactive protein (CRP) and red blood cell (RBC) GSH-Px were estimated on day 0, 3, 7, 14. RESULTS: In the Se+ group, plasma Se increased by day 3 and 7 (P<0.0001) and day 14 (P=0.02), plasma GSH-Px increased by day 3 and 7 (P=0.01) as compared to Se- group. There was a significant negative correlation between plasma Se and SOFA (sepsis related organ failure assessment) (r=-0.36, P=0.03) along with low plasma Se and high CRP at the time of admission. Requirement for renal replacement therapy was not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Although high dose Se supplementation increased plasma Se and GSH-Px activity, it did not reduce oxidative damage or the requirement for RRT. Se levels in blood are influenced by redistribution and severity of illness and therefore should be interpreted with caution.     

Bioavailability of selenium to residents in a low-selenium area of China

For 8 wk 5 groups of 10 men each were given 0.5 g/day DL-methionine, 150 micrograms Se/day as sodium selenite with or without methionine or 150 micrograms Se/day as selenomethionine with or without methionine. Twenty subjects received placebo as controls. Initially plasma Se rose more rapidly than RBC Se. Increases in Se levels were significantly greater with selenomethionine than with the selenite supplement. In the placebo and methionine supplemented groups neither plasma nor RBC Se varied significantly over the course of the study. Supplementation with selenium resulted in marked increases in plasma and RBC GSH-Px within 2 and 4 wk, respectively. Plasma and RBC GSH-Px activity did not differ significantly between Se-supplemented groups. These studies suggest that selenomethionine-Se was more effective in raising plasma and RBC Se than was selenite-Se. Methionine supplements may increase the bioavailability of selenium in severely deficient subjects.     

硒蛋白对糖尿病小鼠血糖、Ca2+转运以及NO系统影响的实验研究

目的研究硒蛋白对糖尿病小鼠血糖、Ca2+转运及NO系统的调控作用.方法体重(20.3±1.7)g昆明种雄性小鼠,腹腔注射200mg/kgbw,2%的四氧嘧啶造糖尿病(DM)模型.实验分6组正常对照组(Ⅰ)、正常+硒蛋白组(Se 100μg/kgbw)(Ⅱ)、糖尿病对照组(Ⅲ)、DM+硒蛋白低剂量组(Se 100μg/kgbw)(Ⅳ)、DM+硒蛋白高剂量组(Se 300μg/kgbw)(Ⅴ)、DM+亚硒酸钠组(Se 100μg/kgbw)(Ⅵ).结果Ⅴ组血糖(20.4±6.3)mmol/L明显低于Ⅲ组(45.3±3.3)mmoi/L,P＜0.05;肾脏三磷酸腺苷酶(Ca2+-ATPase)活性,Ⅴ组0.90±0.5明显高于Ⅲ组(0.35±0.1)μmol/(h·mg prot),P＜0.05;一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性,Ⅴ组(25.0±4.3)U/ml明显低于Ⅲ组(35.2±4.4)U/ml,P＜0.05.结论补硒剂量为Se 300μg/kgbw的硒蛋白能够显著的降低糖尿病小鼠血糖、提高肾脏Ca2+-ATPase活性和降低血浆NOS活性.     

Selenium Bioaccumulation by the Water Boatman Trichocorixa reticulata (Guerin-Meneville)

The input of selenium from subsurface agricultural drainage into surface water systems can result in the accumulation of toxic concentrations of selenium in aquatic food chains. Elevated selenium concentrations in aquatic systems is a significant environmental problem in many areas of the United States. A laboratory investigation was conducted to determine the dominant route of selenium bioaccumulation by the corixid Trichocorixa reticulata, an important food chain organism. The roles of waterborne and foodborne exposure in selenium bioaccumulation were examined using 48-h bioassays. Waterborne selenium concentrations ranged from 0 to 1,000 μg Se/L as selenate. A mixture of two species of blue-green algae cultured in media with selenium concentrations ranging from 0 to 1,000 μg Se/L as selenate was used as a corixid diet in the foodborne treatments. Corixids exposed to waterborne selenate did not accumulate selenium above control concentrations. Corixids fed algae exposed to ≥100 μg Se/L as selenate had significantly higher selenium concentrations than control organisms. These data suggest that corixids may be effectively isolated from the water and selenium accumulation is solely through dietary exposure. Received: 8 July 1998/Accepted: 21 October 1998     

克山病病区粮食中补充蛋氨酸对大鼠膳食硒生物利用的影响

为研究在克山病病区粮食中补充蛋氨酸对大鼠组织硒和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GPX)活性的影响 ,用克山病病区生产的低硒粮食为主配成低硒基础饲料 ,其硒含量为 0 .0 0 7mg/kg。在此基础上添加不同量的硒蛋氨酸 ,使饲料硒水平分别达到 0 .0 0 7、0 .0 6和 0 .5 0 mg/kg。每一硒水平又分别补充或不补充 4g/kg DL -蛋氨酸 ,配制成含不同硒和蛋氨酸的 6种饲料 ,分别喂养雄性 Wistar断乳大鼠 8周。结果在饲料硒水平为0 .0 0 7mg/kg时 ,补充蛋氨酸组动物除肌肉硒含量低于未补充组外 ,其它组织硒含量和各组织 GPX活力与不补充蛋氨酸动物无显著差异 ;在饲料硒水平为 0 .0 6 mg/kg时 ,补充蛋氨酸组动物组织中的硒含量出现了重新分布 ,最明显的是补充蛋氨酸组动物肌肉的硒含量减少 ,而肝脏和血硒含量增加 ,且各组织中 GPX活力显著大于未补充蛋氨酸组的动物 ;在饲料硒水平为 0 .5 0 mg/kg时 ,补充蛋氨酸组动物组织中硒含量有不同程度下降 ,但 GPX活力仍保持不变。研究结果认为病区粮食中蛋氨酸不足时 ,机体首先利用膳食中的硒蛋氨酸(谷类食物中硒的主要形式 )以替代蛋氨酸参与组织蛋白质的合成。补充蛋氨酸后 ,硒蛋氨酸即可发挥其应有生理功能。进一步提示病区粮食中蛋氨酸不足可能是与克山病发病有关的另一因素。     

Toxicity of selenomethionine- and seleno-contaminated sediment to the amphipod Corophium sp

The acute toxicity of four chemical species of selenium to juvenile amphipods (Corophium sp.) was assessed in water-only tests. The seleno-amino acid compounds seleno-L-methionine and seleno-DL-cystine were found to be more toxic (96-h LC(50) values of 1.5 and 12.7 microg Se/L) than the inorganic selenite and selenate (96-h NOEC values of 58 and 116 microg Se/L). New marine sediment testing procedures were developed using juvenile and adult Corophium sp. Both life stages were highly sensitive to seleno-L-methionine-spiked sediment. The juveniles were approximately five times more sensitive, with a 10-day LC(50) of 1.6 microg Se/g (dry weight) compared to 7.6 microg Se/g (dry weight) for the adults. Sediment collected from three sites in Lake Macquarie, a marine barrier lagoon with elevated concentrations of total selenium, had no effect on the survival of adult Corophium over 10 days. The toxicity of seleno-L-methionine to other amphipod species occurring in Lake Macquarie was assessed in water-only tests, with Paracalliope australis being highly sensitive (96-h LC(50) 2.58 microg Se/L).     

Maternal--neonatal serum selenium and copper levels in Greeks and Albanians

AIM: To evaluate selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) concentrations in Greek and Albanian immigrant mothers and in the cord blood of their newborns. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 1118 Greek and 820 Albanian mothers and from the cord blood of their neonates blood was obtained for Se and Cu measurement. Se and Cu concentrations were determined in sera with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAAS) and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. In all, 30 days' nutrient intakes were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: Animal protein, Se and Cu intakes were poor in the Albanians vs the Greeks (P < 0.001). Se concentrations in the Greek mothers (68.3 +/- 8.5 microg/l) and in their newborns (37.02 +/- 8.9 microg/l) were found higher as compared with those in Albanian mothers (37.4 +/- 9.9 microg/l) and in their newborns (34.3 +/- 9.1 microg/l) (P < 0.001). Cu levels were also found higher (P < 0.001) in the Greek mothers (1687 +/- 353 microg/l) and in their neonates (449 +/- 87 microg/l) compared with those in the Albanian mothers (959 +/- 318 microg/l) and in their newborns (229 +/- 67 microg/l). Additionally, 31.5% of neonates born to Albanian women with Se concentrations less than 28 microg/l had higher Se levels (P < 0.01) than their mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The low Se and Cu levels evaluated in the Albanian mothers and their newborns could be related to their poor animal protein intake which could be the consequence of their low socioeconomic status. As an effective preventive measure, accurate dietetic strategies to assess the requirements of pregnant immigrant women for trace elements may be planned in Greece.     

Trace element status in multiple sclerosis

We compared trace element status in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (n = 27) with and without treatment with corticosteroids and groups of healthy subjects. Concentrations of plasma ceruloplasmin, selenium, and zinc and erythrocyte (RBC) glutathione peroxidase, Se, and Zn were similar in all groups. RBC copper concentrations were significantly lower in MS patients than in control subjects (mean +/- SEM: 0.048 +/- 0.005 vs 0.060 +/- 0.002 mumol/g Hb) because of decreased RBC Cu with steroid therapy. RBC Zn-Cu ratios were significantly higher (14.9 +/- 1.0 vs 10.1 +/- 0.3) in MS patients than in control subjects, differing in both groups of MS patients. In MS and control subjects, RBC Cu correlated significantly with RBC Zn (r = 0.56, 0.49). Disease acuity and disability had no effect on trace-mineral status. These data suggest that in MS there is altered Cu and Zn homeostasis that may cause or result from the disease and is influenced by corticosteroid therapy. Systemic trace element alterations might provide clinically useful markers of MS.     

Selenium concentration in the milk of breast-feeding mothers and its geographic distribution

A total of 905 human milk samples collected in all provinces of Poland, between 12 and 75 days of lactation, were analyzed for selenium concentration. The distribution of Se levels in milk between the provinces was narrow and varied from 8.81 to 11.58 ng/mL, with the mean value (+/- SD) of 10.24 +/- 2.82 ng/mL. The regions with lower levels of Se were in the central and eastern part of Poland; the areas with higher values were in the northern, western, and southern parts of Poland. No significant correlations were found between Se levels in milk and the age of lactating mothers or between Se levels and the postpartum period. The calculated daily Se intakes by breast-fed infants varied from 6.46 to 8.50 microg/day, with the mean value of 7.52 microg/day. This amount does not meet the recommended dietary allowances for infants between 0 and 6 months of age. Based on Se levels in human milk, we present a selenium map of Poland.