Influence of selenium on mast cell mediator release

Translational Selenium Nanoparticles to Attenuate Allergic Dermatitis through Nrf2-Keap1-Driven Activation of Selenoproteins

Easy recurrence and strong treatment side effects significantly limit the clinical treatment of allergic dermatitis. The human trace element selenium (Se) plays essential roles in redox regulation through incorporation into selenoproteins in the form of 21st necessary amino acid selenocysteine, to participates in the pathogenesis and intervention of chronic inflammatory diseases. Therefore, based on the safe and elemental properties of Se, we construct a facile-synthesis strategy for antiallergic selenium nanoparticles (LET-SeNPs), and scale up the production by employing a spray drying method with lactose (Lac-LET-SeNPs) or maltodextrin (Mal-LET-SeNPs) as encapsulation agents realizing larger scale production and a longer storage time. As expected, these as-prepared LET-SeNPs could effectively activate the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway to enhance the expression of antioxidative selenoprotein at mRNA and protein levels, then inhibit mast cell activation to achieve efficient antiallergic activity. Interestingly, LET-SeNPs undergo metabolism to seleno-amino acids to promote biosynthesis of selenoproteins, which could suppress ROS-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and MAPKs activation to suppress the release of histamine and inflammatory cytokines. Allergic mouse and Macaca fascicularis models further confirm that LET-SeNPs could increase the Se content and selenoprotein expression in the skin, decrease mast cells activation and inflammatory cells infiltration, and finally exhibit the high therapeutic effects on allergic dermatitis. Taken together, this study not only constructs facile large-scale synthesis of translational Se nanomedicine to break through the bottleneck problem of nanomaterials but also sheds light on its application in the intervention and treatment of allergies.

Selenium and Selenoproteins in Health

Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential for health. After being obtained from food and taken up by the liver, selenium performs various physiological functions in the body in the form of selenoproteins, which are best known for their redox activity and anti-inflammatory properties. Selenium stimulates the activation of immune cells and is important for the activation of the immune system. Selenium is also essential for the maintenance of brain function. Selenium supplements can regulate lipid metabolism, cell apoptosis, and autophagy, and have displayed significant alleviating effects in most cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of increased selenium intake on the risk of cancer remains unclear. Elevated serum selenium levels are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and this relationship is complex and nonlinear. Selenium supplementation seems beneficial to some extent; however, existing studies have not fully explained the influence of selenium on various diseases. Further, more intervention trials are needed to verify the beneficial or harmful effects of selenium supplementation in various diseases.

Advances in the Study of the Mechanism by Which Selenium and Selenoproteins Boost Immunity to Prevent Food Allergies

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that functions in the body mainly in the form of selenoproteins. The selenoprotein contains 25 members in humans that exhibit a number of functions. Selenoproteins have immunomodulatory functions and can enhance the ability of immune system to regulate in a variety of ways, which can have a preventive effect on immune-related diseases. Food allergy is a specific immune response that has been increasing in number in recent years, significantly reducing the quality of life and posing a major threat to human health. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the role of Se and selenoproteins in regulating the immune system and how dysregulation of these processes may lead to food allergies. Thus, we can explain the mechanism by which Se and selenoproteins boost immunity to prevent food allergies.

Role of selenium in IgE mediated soybean allergy development

Food allergy is a pathological immune reaction triggered by normal innocuous dietary proteins. Soybean is widely used in many food products and has long been recognized as a source of high-quality proteins. However, soybean is listed as one of the 8 most significant food allergens. The prevalence of soybean allergy is increasing worldwide and impacts the quality of life of patients. Currently, the only strategy to manage food allergy relies on strict avoidance of the offending food. Nutritional supplementation is a new prevention strategy which is currently under evaluation. Selenium (Se), as one of the essential micronutrients for humans and animals, carries out biological effects through its incorporation into selenoproteins. The use of interventions with micronutrients, like Se, might be an interesting new approach. In this review we describe the involvement of Se in a variety of processes, including maintaining immune homeostasis, preventing free radical damage, and modulating the gut microbiome, all of which may contribute to in both the prevention and treatment of food allergy. Se interventions could be an interesting new approach for future treatment strategies to manage soybean allergy, and food allergy in general, and could help to improve the quality of life for food allergic patients.

Mineral Micronutrients in Asthma

Asthma represents one of the most common medical issues in the modern world. It is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the airways and disturbances in redox status, leading to hyperresponsiveness of bronchi and airway obstruction. Apart from classical risk factors such as air pollution, family history, allergies, or obesity, disturbances of the levels of micronutrients lead to impairments in the defense mechanisms of the affected organism against oxidative stress and proinflammatory stimuli. In the present review, the impact of micronutrients on the prevalence, severity, and possible risk factors of asthma is discussed. Although the influence of classical micronutrients such as selenium, copper, or zinc are well known, the effects of those such as iodine or manganese are only rarely mentioned. As a consequence, the aim of this paper is to demonstrate how disturbances in the levels of micronutrients and their supplementation might affect the course of asthma.

The Complex Interplay between Immunonutrition, Mast Cells, and Histamine Signaling in COVID-19

There is an ongoing need for new therapeutic modalities against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mast cell histamine has been implicated in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 as a regulator of proinflammatory, fibrotic, and thrombogenic processes. Consequently, mast cell histamine and its receptors represent promising pharmacological targets. At the same time, nutritional modulation of immune system function has been proposed and is being investigated for the prevention of COVID-19 or as an adjunctive strategy combined with conventional therapy. Several studies indicate that several immunonutrients can regulate mast cell activity to reduce the de novo synthesis and/or release of histamine and other mediators that are considered to mediate, at least in part, the complex pathophysiology present in COVID-19. This review summarizes the effects on mast cell histamine of common immunonutrients that have been investigated for use in COVID-19.

Selenium Modulates the Allergic Response to Whey Protein in a Mouse Model for Cow's Milk Allergy

Cow's milk allergy is a common food allergy in infants, and is associated with an increased risk of developing other allergic diseases. Dietary selenium (Se), one of the essential micronutrients for humans and animals, is an important bioelement which can influence both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the effects of Se on food allergy are still largely unknown. In the current study it was investigated whether dietary Se supplementation can inhibit whey-induced food allergy in an animal research model. Three-week-old female C3H/HeOuJ mice were intragastrically sensitized with whey protein and cholera toxin and randomly assigned to receive a control, low, medium or high Se diet. Acute allergic symptoms, allergen specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels and mast cell degranulation were determined upon whey challenge. Body temperature was significantly higher in mice that received the medium Se diet 60 min after the oral challenge with whey compared to the positive control group, which is indicative of impaired anaphylaxis. This was accompanied by reductions in antigen-specific immunoglobulins and reduced levels of mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1). This study demonstrates that oral Se supplementation may modulate allergic responses to whey by decreasing specific antibody responses and mMCP-1 release.

Biological and Immunological Aspects of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Cancer Development: A Narrative Review

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is a universal health problem and a risk factor for the development of cancer. IDA changes the microenvironment of the human body by affecting both the biological and immunological systems. It increases DNA damage and genomic instability by different mechanisms. IDA is one of the leading causes of the imbalance between different antioxidant enzymes as well as enzymes involved in DNA damage and DNA repair systems of the body. It can affect the biogenesis/expression of microRNAs. IDA interrupts the oxidative phosphorylation energy metabolism and intestinal Cytochrome-P450 systems. It also disturbs multicellular signaling pathways involved in cell survival and helps in tumor angiogenesis. Moreover, IDA is also responsible for the functional deterioration of innate and adaptive immune systems that lead to immunological dysfunctions against invading pathogens. Genomic instability and immunological dysfunctions are the hallmarks of cancer development. In this review, we will review the evidence linking IDA to increased cancer risk.

Selenium Deficiency-Induced Apoptosis of Chick Embryonic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Correlations with 25 Selenoproteins

Selenium deficiency is the major cause of exudative diathesis in chicks. Subcutaneous hemorrhage is one of the typical symptoms of the disease. However, the reason for the occurrence of blood exudation remains unknown. In the present study, the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were isolated from 17-day-old broiler chick embryos. Cell viability, cell apoptosis, and intracellular reactive oxygen species level under different concentrations of selenium (0-0.9 μM) were investigated. The mRNA expression levels of 25 selenoproteins and apoptosis-related genes (p53, CytC, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Bcl-2, and Bax) were also measured. Selenium deficiency significantly decreased cell viability and increased cell apoptosis (p < 0.05). Supplementation with selenium could alleviate these changes. In general, at all levels of selenium addition, Gpx1, Gpx3, Gpx4, SepW1, and Sep15 mRNAs were all highly expressed in VSMCs, whereas Gpx2, Dio1, SepN1, SelO, and SelPb were at lower levels. There was a high correlation between Gpx2, Gpx3, Gpx4, Dio1, Txnrd1, Txnrd2, and Txnrd3 gene expression. Additionally, Gpx3, Gpx4, Dio1, Txnrd1, Txnrd2, Txnrd3, SelS, and SelPb showed a strong negative correlation with pro-apoptotic gene Caspase-3 as well as a strong positive correlation with anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2, especially SelI (r = 0.913 and r = 0.929, p < 0.01). These results suggest that selenium deficiency could induce VSMC apoptosis, and several selenoproteins may be involved in the development of apoptosis. Our findings provide information on the molecular mechanism of vascular injury by selenium deficiency.