Nanomedicine for acute respiratory distress syndrome: The latest application,targeting strategy,and rational design

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by the severe inflammation and destruction of the lung air–blood barrier, leading to irreversible and substantial respiratory function damage. Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been encountered with a high risk of ARDS, underscoring the urgency for exploiting effective therapy. However, proper medications for ARDS are still lacking due to poor pharmacokinetics, non-specific side effects, inability to surmount pulmonary barrier, and inadequate management of heterogeneity. The increased lung permeability in the pathological environment of ARDS may contribute to nanoparticle-mediated passive targeting delivery. Nanomedicine has demonstrated unique advantages in solving the dilemma of ARDS drug therapy, which can address the shortcomings and limitations of traditional anti-inflammatory or antioxidant drug treatment. Through passive, active, or physicochemical targeting, nanocarriers can interact with lung epithelium/endothelium and inflammatory cells to reverse abnormal changes and restore homeostasis of the pulmonary environment, thereby showing good therapeutic activity and reduced toxicity. This article reviews the latest applications of nanomedicine in pre-clinical ARDS therapy, highlights the strategies for targeted treatment of lung inflammation, presents the innovative drug delivery systems, and provides inspiration for strengthening the therapeutic effect of nanomedicine-based treatment.     

硒酵母联合308nm准分子激光治疗白癜风的临床疗效观察

目的探讨硒酵母联合308nm准分子激光治疗白癜风的临床疗效。方法 200例白癜风患者按治疗方式分为两组：100例硒酵母联合308nm准分子激光治疗患者为观察组,同期100例单纯308nm准分子激光治疗患者为对照组。比较两组患者过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽-过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）、丙二醛（MDA）、脂质过氧化物（LPO）、免疫球蛋白G（IgG）及其亚类、临床疗效。结果连续治疗16周后,观察组患者血清GSH-PX、CAT明显高于对照组（P〈0.05）;观察组患者MDA、LPO明显低于对照组（P〈0.05）。观察组患者IgG、IgG1、IgG2a、IgG2b和IgG3的抗体水平显著升高,与对照组比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。对照组治疗总有效率为64.0%,观察组总有效率为84.0%,观察组疗效明显优于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论硒酵母联合308nm准分子激光治疗白癜风疗效确切,值得临床推广使用。     

Selenium in Edible Mushrooms

Selenium is vital to human health. This article is a compendium of virtually all the published data on total selenium concentrations, its distribution in fruitbody, bioconcentration factors, and chemical forms in wild-grown, cultivated, and selenium-enriched mushrooms worldwide. Of the 190 species reviewed (belonging to 21 families and 56 genera), most are considered edible, and a few selected data relate to inedible mushrooms. Most of edible mushroom species examined until now are selenium-poor (< 1 μ g Se/g dry weight). The fruitbody of some species of wild-grown edible mushrooms is naturally rich in selenium; their occurrence data are reviewed, along with information on their suitability as a dietary source of selenium for humans, the impact of cooking and possible leaching out, the significance of traditional mushroom dishes, and the element's absorption rates and co-occurrence with some potentially problematic elements. The Goat's Foot (Albatrellus pes-caprae) with ～ 200 μ g Se/g dw on average (maximum up to 370 μ g/g dw) is the richest one in this element among the species surveyed. Several other representatives of the genus Albatrellus are also abundant in selenium. Of the most popular edible wild-grown mushrooms, the King Bolete (Boletus edulis) is considered abundant in selenium as well; on average, it contains ～ 20 μ g Se/g dw (maximum up to 70 μ g/g dw). Some species of the genus Boletus, such as B. pinicola, B. aereus, B. aestivalis, B. erythropus, and B. appendiculus, can also accumulate considerable amounts of selenium. Some other relatively rich sources of selenium include the European Pine Cone Lepidella (Amanita strobiliformis), which contains, on average, ～ 20 μ g Se/g dw (up to 37 μ g/g dw); the Macrolepiota spp., with an average range of ～ 5 to < 10 μ g/g dw (an exception is M. rhacodes with < 10 μ g/g dw); and the Lycoperdon spp., with an average of ～ 5 μ g Se/g dw. For several wild-grown species of the genus Agaricus, the selenium content (～ 5 μ g/g dw) is much greater than that from cultivated Champignon Mushroom; these include A. bisporus, A. bitorquis, A. campestris, A. cesarea, A. campestris, A. edulis, A. macrosporus, and A. silvaticus. A particularly rich source of selenium could be obtained from selenium-enriched mushrooms that are cultivated on a substrate fortified with selenium (as inorganic salt or selenized-yeast). The Se-enriched Champignon Mushroom could contain up to 30 or 110 μ g Se/g dw, while the Varnished Polypore (Ganoderma lucidum) could contain up to 72 μ g Se/g dw. An increasingly growing database on chemical forms of selenium of mushrooms indicates that the seleno-compounds identified in carpophore include selenocysteine, selenomethionine, Se-methylselenocysteine, selenite, and several unidentified seleno-compounds; their proportions vary widely. Some aspects of environmental selenium occurrence and human body pharmacokinetics and nutritional needs will also be briefly discussed in this review.     

Toxic effects arising from selenium and deferasirox interaction in the biological system

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of deferasirox on selenium toxicity in male rat organs. After 50 days of selenium administration, all the rats showed toxicity symptoms. After poisoning, deferasirox was given orally to rats during 10 days. The results show that toxicity symptoms were unexpectedly increased. The new symptoms of toxicity after deferasirox administration were including loss of body hairs, yellowish discoloration of hair, weakness, brown spot on their skin, enlargement of the spleen and shrinking of sex organs. Selenium and iron concentrations were determined by GFAAS and FAAS, respectively. The results indicate the poisoned rats with selenium that received deferasirox as a drug, shown serious symptoms such as exacerbate toxicity, reduction in iron concentration, anemia and even death after a few days of deferasirox administration.     

Selenium Cycling Across Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Interfaces: A Critical Review

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans and animals, which occurs ubiquitously in the environment. It is present in trace amounts in both organic and inorganic forms in marine and freshwater systems, soils, biomass and in the atmosphere. Low Se levels in certain terrestrial environments have resulted in Se deficiency in humans, while elevated Se levels in waters and soils can be toxic and result in the death of aquatic wildlife and other animals. Human dietary Se intake is largely governed by Se concentrations in plants, which are controlled by root uptake of Se as a function of soil Se concentrations, speciation and bioavailability. In addition, plants and microorganisms can biomethylate Se, which can result in a loss of Se to the atmosphere. The mobilization of Se across soil-plant-atmosphere interfaces is thus of crucial importance for human Se status. This review gives an overview of current knowledge on Se cycling with a specific focus on soil-plant-atmosphere interfaces. Sources, speciation and mobility of Se in soils and plants will be discussed as well as Se hyperaccumulation by plants, biofortification and biomethylation. Future research on Se cycling in the environment is essential to minimize the adverse health effects associated with unsafe environmental Se levels.     

Biomarkers of Selenium Status

The essential trace element, selenium (Se), has multiple biological activities, which depend on the level of Se intake. Relatively low Se intakes determine the expression of selenoenzymes in which it serves as an essential constituent. Higher intakes have been shown to have anti-tumorigenic potential; and very high Se intakes can produce adverse effects. This hierarchy of biological activities calls for biomarkers informative at different levels of Se exposure. Some Se-biomarkers, such as the selenoproteins and particularly GPX3 and SEPP1, provide information about function directly and are of value in identifying nutritional Se deficiency and tracking responses of deficient individuals to Se-treatment. They are useful under conditions of Se intake within the range of regulated selenoprotein expression, e.g., for humans <55 μg/day and for animals <20 μg/kg diet. Other Se-biomarkers provide information indirectly through inferences based on Se levels of foods, tissues, urine or feces. They can indicate the likelihood of deficiency or adverse effects, but they do not provide direct evidence of either condition. Their value is in providing information about Se status over a wide range of Se intake, particularly from food forms. There is need for additional Se biomarkers particularly for assessing Se status in non-deficient individuals for whom the prospects of cancer risk reduction and adverse effects risk are the primary health considerations. This would include determining whether supranutritional intakes of Se may be required for maximal selenoprotein expression in immune surveillance cells. It would also include developing methods to determine low molecular weight Se-metabolites, i.e., selenoamino acids and methylated Se-metabolites, which to date have not been detectable in biological specimens. Recent analytical advances using tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry suggest prospects for detecting these metabolites.     

纳米硒与亚硒酸钠在高碘致小鼠氧化损伤中的干预作用

[目的]研究比较纳米硒和亚硒酸钠对高碘致小鼠部分组织氧化损伤的干预作用。[方法]将48只雄性昆明小鼠被随机分为适碘组[50μg/L碘酸钾(KIO3)]、高碘组(3 000μg/L KIO3)、亚硒酸钠组(3 000μg/L KIO3+0.193 mg/kg硒)、纳米硒组(3 000μg/L KIO3+0.193 mg/kg硒),每组12只。4周后处死小鼠,测定血清、肝脏、肾脏组织的谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力、以及丙二醛(MDA)水平。观察甲状腺病理变化。[结果]与适碘组相比,高碘组血清、肝脏和肾脏中GSH-Px活力均明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);肝脏中MDA含量下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);肝脏和肾脏脏器系数均增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与高碘组相比,亚硒酸钠组血清和肝脏中GSH-Px活力均明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);肾脏中MDA含量增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);肝脏脏器系数下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);血清和肝脏中MDA含量均下降。纳米硒组血清、肝脏和肾脏中GSH-Px活力均明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);血清和肝脏中MDA含量均明显下降,在肾脏中增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);肾脏脏器系数下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。高碘组甲状腺组织出现弥漫胶质性甲状腺肿。[结论]高碘摄入可致小鼠氧化性损伤,补硒有一定干预作用,纳米硒的干预效果优于亚硒酸钠。     

Deficiency in antioxidant factors in patients with alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis

Free radicals have been suspected to play a role in the pathogenicity of alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to determine the status of several antioxidant parameters in these patients and examine the factors that are likely to influence them. Thirty-five subjects (23 males and 12 females, mean age 48±8 years) with disease proven by endoscopic pancreatography and 14 healthy controls (6 males and 8 females, mean age 44±7 years) were included in the study. Biochemical antioxidant parameters included: selenium, zinc, and copper levels in plasma; glutathione peroxidase in plasma and erythrocytes; plasma malondialdehyde concentrations assessed by thiobarbituric acid reactants; and serum vitamin E and A levels. Selenium and vitamin E oral intake was assessed by a five-day diet analysis. Hemoglobin (130±16 vs 143±15 g/liter), vitamin E (8±5 vs 16±9 mg/liter), vitamin A (30±11 vs 49±12µg/dl), selenium (54±20 vs 87±11µg/liter), and plasma glutathione peroxidase (903±313 vs 1326±168 units/liter) were significantly lower in patients than in controls (P<0.05). In contrast, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and plasma copper levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Cholesterol, triglycerides, iron, ferritin, total proteins, zinc, and malondialdehyde were not different. Vitamin E was lower in patients with steatorrhea, while vitamin A was lower in patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus. Dietary intakes were not different between patients and controls. In conclusion, patients with alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis have low blood levels in many antioxidant factors. Dietary intakes of some of them (selenium and vitamin E) are adequate, however. Such deficiencies are secondary to pancreatic insufficiency and probably to increased requirements related to enhanced oxidative stress.     

Selenium level does not differ in blood but increased in cerebrospinal fluid in Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: Recent studies have found that selenium (Se) levels were associated with the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the results were contradictory. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between Se levels and PD.

Methods: PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched published up to 28 October 2019. The differences between groups were analyzed by forest plots and results were pooled and assessed using a random-effect model. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the association between Se levels and the risk of PD. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were also conducted. Publication bias was estimated using Begg’s regression asymmetry test.

Results: Finally, 12 articles involving 601 PD patients and 749 controls were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significantly higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Se level in PD patients than those in controls (SMD = 1.22; 95%CI [0.05, 2.39]; p?=?0.000). No publication bias was found.

Conclusion: The meta-analysis indicated that CSF Se levels in PD patients were significantly higher than those in controls.     

The Importance of Interleukin 18, Glutathione Peroxidase, and Selenium Concentration Changes in Acute Pancreatitis

Cytokinemia and oxidative stress are important factors responsible for an inadequate immune response in the early course of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the profiles of interleukin 18 (IL-18), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and selenium concentrations in serum with respect to AP severity and to study the relationships between these parameters and recognized prognostic indicators of AP severity. Prospective clinical analyses were performed on 61 patients with mild and severe forms of AP and for 15 healthy volunteers. In both forms of AP severity, the IL-18 concentration in the serum was significantly higher than in healthy controls. In the severe form of AP, the IL-18 concentration was the highest and exceeded significantly the values recorded on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 10th days of mild AP. A significantly lower GPx concentration in the serum was recorded in severe AP compared to the mild form and in the control group. There was a significantly lower selenium concentration in the severe form of AP. Significant correlations between GPx and selenium, between IL-18 and GPx, and between IL-18 and selenium were recorded. The ROC analysis shows a high prognostic accuracy of IL-18 and GPx concentrations in the determination of AP severity. IL-18 is released early in the course of AP and may be a key immunomodulator of the inflammatory response in the severe form of this disease. Low GPx and selenium concentrations in severe AP reflect the lower antioxidative ability in this form of AP. IL-18 and GPx may represent new indicators of AP severity.