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Wang X, Lin Z, Li T, Zhu W, Huang H, Hu J, Zhou J. Sodium Selenite Prevents Matrine-Induced Nephrotoxicity by Suppressing Ferroptosis via the GSH-GPX4 Antioxidant System. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:4674-4686. [PMID: 38177716 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-04044-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Matrine (MT), an active ingredient derived from Sophor flavescens Ait, is used as a therapeutic agent to treat liver disease and cancer. However, the serious toxic effects of MT, including nephrotoxicity, have limited its clinical application. Here, we explored the involvement of ferroptosis in MT-induced kidney injury and evaluated the potential efficacy and underlying mechanism of sodium selenite (SS) in attenuating MT-induced nephrotoxicity. We found that MT not only disrupts renal structure in mice but also induces the death of NRK-52E cells. Additionally, MT treatment resulted in significant elevations in ferrous iron, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation levels, accompanied by decreases in glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. SS effectively mitigated the alterations in ferroptosis-related indicators caused by MT and prevented MT-induced nephrotoxicity as effectively as Fer-1 in vivo and in vitro. SS also reversed the MT-induced reduction in GPX4, CTH and xCT protein levels. However, the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inhibitor RSL3 and knockdown of GPX4, CTH, or xCT via siRNA abolished the protective effect of SS against MT-induced nephrotoxicity, indicating that SS exhibited antiferroptotic effects via the GSH-GPX4 antioxidant system. Overall, MT-induced ferroptosis triggers nephrotoxicity, and SS is a promising therapeutic drug for alleviating MT-induced renal injury by activating the GSH-GPX4 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wang
- School of Medicine, Yichun University, 576 XueFu Road, Yuanzhou District, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixiong Lin
- School of Medicine, Yichun University, 576 XueFu Road, Yuanzhou District, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Li
- School of Medicine, Yichun University, 576 XueFu Road, Yuanzhou District, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Zhu
- School of Medicine, Yichun University, 576 XueFu Road, Yuanzhou District, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanxin Huang
- School of Medicine, Yichun University, 576 XueFu Road, Yuanzhou District, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayan Hu
- School of Medicine, Yichun University, 576 XueFu Road, Yuanzhou District, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhou
- School of Medicine, Yichun University, 576 XueFu Road, Yuanzhou District, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Seko T, Uchida H, Sato Y, Imamura S, Ishihara K, Yamashita Y, Yamashita M. Selenoneine Is Methylated in the Bodies of Mice and then Excreted in Urine as Se-Methylselenoneine. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:3672-3685. [PMID: 37932617 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03936-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Oral intake of purified selenoneine and seafoods has been reported to result in selenoneine accumulation in erythrocytes in mice and human. In addition, Se-methylselenoneine was suggested to be produced as a metabolite of selenoneine in the urine and whole blood of humans. In order to confirm the molecular mechanism of production of Se-methylselenoneine, a stable isotope (Se-76) labeled selenoneine was biosynthesized using genetically modified fission yeast and administered to mice. The Se-76-labeled Se-methylselenoneine was detected in urine but Se-78 and Se-80-labeled Se-methylselenoneine arising from natural isotopes of Se was hardly detected. These results suggest that Se-methylselenoneine was a metabolite and the excreted form of selenoneine. The methylation of selenoneine in mice administered selenoneine continuously was evaluated by the analyses of organs using an online liquid chromatograph system with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LC-ICP-MS). These experiments indicate that selenoneine is methylated in the liver and (or) kidneys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Seko
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-8648, Japan.
| | - Hajime Uchida
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-8648, Japan
| | - Yoko Sato
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-8648, Japan
| | - Shintaro Imamura
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-8648, Japan
| | - Kenji Ishihara
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-8648, Japan
| | - Yumiko Yamashita
- Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-8648, Japan
| | - Michiaki Yamashita
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National Fisheries University, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Yamaguchi, 759-6595, Japan
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3
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Lajin B, Obermayer-Pietsch B, Somma R, Goessler W. A time-course investigation of the human urinary excretion of the hydrogen sulfide biomarker trimethylsulfonium. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 100:104162. [PMID: 37245608 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas but also recognized as an endogenously produced metabolite in humans playing key roles. We previously identified trimethylsulfonium, which can be a methylation product of hydrogen sulfide but the stability in the production of trimethylsulfonium has not been investigated. In the present work, the intra- and inter-individual variability in the excretion of trimethylsulfonium over 2 months in a group of healthy volunteers was investigated. Urinary levels of trimethylsulfonium (mean: 56 nM, 95% CI: 48-68 nM) were > 100-fold lower than the conventional hydrogen sulfide biomarker thiosulfate (13 µM, 12-15 µM) and the precursor for endogenous hydrogen sulfide production cystine (47 µM, 44-50 µM). There was no correlation between urinary trimethylsulfonium and thiosulfate. Higher intra-individual variability in the excretion of trimethylsulfonium (generally 2-8 fold) than that for cystine (generally 2-3 fold) was found. Trimethylsulfonium displayed significant inter-individual variability with two concentration clusters at 117 nM (97-141) and 27 nM (22-34). In conclusion, the observed inter- and intra-individual variability must be considered when using urinary trimethylsulfonium as a biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassam Lajin
- Institute of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry for the Health and Environment, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria; Institute of Chemistry, ChromICP, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Endocrinology Lab Platform, Department of Internal Medicine and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Renato Somma
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia Sezione di Napoli Osservatorio Vesuviano, 80124 Napoli, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche ISMAR Istituto di Scienze Marine Napoli Calata Porta Di Massa, Porto Di Napoli 80, 80133 Napoli, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche IRISS Istituto di Ricerca su Innovazione e Servizi per lo Sviluppo, Via Guglielmo Sanfelice, 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Walter Goessler
- Institute of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry for the Health and Environment, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
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4
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Turck D, Bohn T, Castenmiller J, de Henauw S, Hirsch‐Ernst K, Knutsen HK, Maciuk A, Mangelsdorf I, McArdle HJ, Peláez C, Pentieva K, Siani A, Thies F, Tsabouri S, Vinceti M, Aggett P, Crous Bou M, Cubadda F, Ciccolallo L, de Sesmaisons Lecarré A, Fabiani L, Titz A, Naska A. Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for selenium. EFSA J 2023; 21:e07704. [PMID: 36698500 PMCID: PMC9854220 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for selenium. Systematic reviews of the literature were conducted to identify evidence regarding excess selenium intake and clinical effects and potential biomarkers of effect, risk of chronic diseases and impaired neuropsychological development in humans. Alopecia, as an early observable feature and a well-established adverse effect of excess selenium exposure, is selected as the critical endpoint on which to base a UL for selenium. A lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) of 330 μg/day is identified from a large randomised controlled trial in humans (the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)), to which an uncertainty factor of 1.3 is applied. A UL of 255 μg/day is established for adult men and women (including pregnant and lactating women). ULs for children are derived from the UL for adults using allometric scaling (body weight0.75). Based on available intake data, adult consumers are unlikely to exceed the UL, except for regular users of food supplements containing high daily doses of selenium or regular consumers of Brazil nuts. No risk has been reported with the current levels of selenium intake in European countries from food (excluding food supplements) in toddlers and children, and selenium intake arising from the natural content of foods does not raise reasons for concern. Selenium-containing supplements in toddlers and children should be used with caution, based on individual needs.
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Lajin B, Feldmann J, Goessler W. Elution with 1,2-Hexanediol Enables Coupling of ICPMS with Reversed-Pase Liquid Chromatography under Standard Conditions. Anal Chem 2022; 94:8802-8810. [PMID: 35666989 PMCID: PMC9218959 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) has been
attracting increasing attention for many applications as an element-selective
chromatographic detector. A major and fundamental limitation in coupling
ICPMS with liquid chromatography is the limited compatibility with
organic solvents, which has so far been addressed via a tedious approach,
collectively referred to as the “organic ICPMS mode”,
that can decrease detection sensitivity by up to 100-fold. Herein,
we report 1,2-hexanediol as a new eluent in high-performance liquid
chromatography–ICPMS which enables avoiding the current limitations.
Unlike commonly used eluents, 1,2-hexanediol was remarkably compatible
with ICPMS detection at high flow rates of 1.5 mL min–1 and concentrations of at least 30% v/v, respectively, under the
standard conditions and instrumental setup normally used with 100%
aqueous media. Sensitivity for all tested elements (P, S, Cl, Br,
Se, and As) was enhanced with
10% v/v 1,2-hexanediol relative to that of 100% aqueous media by 1.5–7-fold
depending on the element. Concentrations of 1,2-hexanediol at ≤30%
v/v were superior in elution strength to concentrations at >90%
v/v
of the common organic phases, which greatly decreases the amount of
carbon required to elute highly hydrophobic compounds such as lipids
and steroids, enabling detection at ultra-trace levels. The proposed
approach was applied to detect arsenic-containing fatty acids in spiked
human urine, and detection limits of <0.01 μg As L–1 were achieved, which is >100-fold lower than those previously
reported
using the organic ICPMS mode. Nontargeted speciation analysis in Allium sativum revealed the presence of a large number
of hydrophobic sulfur-containing metabolomic features at trace levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassam Lajin
- Institute of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry for the Health and Environment, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Joerg Feldmann
- Institute of Chemistry, TESLA (Trace Element Speciation Laboratory), University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Walter Goessler
- Institute of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry for the Health and Environment, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Ouerdane L, Both EB, Xiang J, Yin H, Kang Y, Shao S, Kiszelák K, Jókai Z, Dernovics M. Water soluble selenometabolome of Cardamine violifolia. Metallomics 2020; 12:2032-2048. [PMID: 33165451 DOI: 10.1039/d0mt00216j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Low molecular weight selenium containing metabolites in the leaves of the selenium hyperaccumulator Cardamine violifolia (261 mg total Se per kg d.w.) were targeted in this study. One dimensional cation exchange chromatography coupled to ICP-MS was used for purification and fractionation purposes prior to LC-Unispray-QTOF-MS analysis. The search for selenium species in full scan spectra was assisted with an automated mass defect based filtering approach. Besides selenocystathionine, selenohomocystine and its polyselenide derivative, a total number of 35 water soluble selenium metabolites other than selenolanthionine were encountered, including 30 previously unreported compounds. High occurrence of selenium containing hexoses was observed, together with the first assignment of N-glycoside derivatives of selenolanthionine. Quantification of the most abundant selenium species, selenolanthionine, was carried out with an ion pairing LC - post column isotope dilution ICP-MS setup, which revealed that this selenoamino acid accounted for 30% of the total selenium content of the leaf (78 mg (as Se) per kg d.w.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Ouerdane
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, e2s UPPA, CNRS, IPREM-UMR5254, Hélioparc, 2, Av. Pr. Angot, 64053 Pau, France
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7
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Cardoso BR, Ganio K, Roberts BR. Expanding beyond ICP-MS to better understand selenium biochemistry. Metallomics 2020; 11:1974-1983. [PMID: 31660552 DOI: 10.1039/c9mt00201d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Selenium is an essential trace element in human health and therefore its concentration in biological samples (biofluids and tissues) is used as an indicator of health and nutritional status. In humans, selenium's biological activity occurs through the 25 identified selenoproteins. As total selenium concentration encompasses both functional selenoproteins, small selenocompounds and other selenium-binding proteins, selenium speciation, rather than total concentration, is critical in order to assess functional selenium. Previously, quantitative analysis of selenoproteins required laborious techniques that were often slow and costly. However, more recent advancements in tandem mass spectrometry have facilitated the qualitative and quantitative identification of these proteins. In light of the current alternatives for understanding selenium biochemistry, we aim to provide a review of the modern applications of electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) as an alternative to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for qualitative and quantitative selenium speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara R Cardoso
- Deakin University, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Geelong, Australia
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8
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Lithium disturbs homeostasis of essential microelements in erythrocytes of rats: Selenium as a protective agent? Pharmacol Rep 2018; 70:1168-1172. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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9
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Fernandes J, Hu X, Ryan Smith M, Go YM, Jones DP. Selenium at the redox interface of the genome, metabolome and exposome. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 127:215-227. [PMID: 29883789 PMCID: PMC6168380 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is a redox-active environmental mineral that is converted to only a small number of metabolites and required for a relatively small number of mammalian enzymes. Despite this, dietary and environmental Se has extensive impact on every layer of omics space. This highlights a need for global network response structures to provide reference for targeted, hypothesis-driven Se research. In this review, we survey the Se research literature from the perspective of the responsive physical and chemical barrier between an organism (functional genome) and its environment (exposome), which we have previously termed the redox interface. Recent advances in metabolomics allow molecular phenotyping of the integrated genome-metabolome-exposome structure. Use of metabolomics with transcriptomics to map functional network responses to supplemental Se in mice revealed complex network responses linked to dyslipidemia and weight gain. Central metabolic hubs in the network structure in liver were not directly linked to transcripts for selenoproteins but were, instead, linked to transcripts for glucose transport and fatty acid β-oxidation. The experimental results confirm the survey of research literature in showing that Se interacts with the functional genome through a complex network response structure. The results imply that systematic application of data-driven integrated omics methods to models with controlled Se exposure could disentangle health benefits and risks from Se exposures and also serve more broadly as an experimental paradigm for exposome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolyn Fernandes
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Xin Hu
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - M Ryan Smith
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Young-Mi Go
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Dean P Jones
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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Skröder H, Engström K, Kuehnelt D, Kippler M, Francesconi K, Nermell B, Tofail F, Broberg K, Vahter M. Associations between Methylated Metabolites of Arsenic and Selenium in Urine of Pregnant Bangladeshi Women and Interactions between the Main Genes Involved. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:027001. [PMID: 29398653 PMCID: PMC6066347 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been proposed that interactions between selenium and arsenic in the body may affect their kinetics and toxicity. However, it is unknown how the elements influence each other in humans. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate potential interactions in the methylation of selenium and arsenic. METHODS Urinary selenium (U-Se) and arsenic (U-As) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) in samples collected from pregnant women (n=226) in rural Bangladesh at gestational weeks (GW) 8, 14, 19, and 30. Urinary concentrations of trimethyl selenonium ion (TMSe) were measured by HPLC-vapor generation-ICPMS, as were inorganic arsenic (iAs), methylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Methylation efficiency was assessed based on relative amounts (%) of arsenic and selenium metabolites in urine. Genotyping for the main arsenite and selenium methyltransferases, AS3MT and INMT, was performed using TaqMan probes or Sequenom. RESULTS Multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses indicated that %TMSe (at GW8) was positively associated with %MMA (β=1.3, 95% CI: 0.56, 2.0) and U-As, and inversely associated with %DMA and U-Se in producers of TMSe (INMT rs6970396 AG+AA, n=74), who had a wide range of urinary TMSe (12-42%). Also, %TMSe decreased in parallel to %MMA during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester (-0.58 %TMSe per gestational week). We found a gene-gene interaction for %MMA (p-interaction=0.076 for haplotype 1). In analysis stratified by INMT genotype, the association between %MMA and both AS3MT haplotypes 1 and 3 was stronger in women with the INMT GG (TMSe nonproducers, 5th-95th percentile: 0.2-2%TMSe) vs. AG+AA genotype. CONCLUSIONS Our findings for Bangladeshi women suggest a positive association between urinary %MMA and %TMSe. Genes involved in the methylation of selenium and arsenic may interact on associations with urinary %MMA. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1912.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Skröder
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Engström
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University , Lund, Sweden
| | - Doris Kuehnelt
- Institute of Chemistry, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Maria Kippler
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kevin Francesconi
- Institute of Chemistry, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Barbro Nermell
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fahmida Tofail
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Karin Broberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Vahter
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Cupp-Sutton KA, Ashby MT. Biological Chemistry of Hydrogen Selenide. Antioxidants (Basel) 2016; 5:E42. [PMID: 27879667 PMCID: PMC5187540 DOI: 10.3390/antiox5040042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There are no two main-group elements that exhibit more similar physical and chemical properties than sulfur and selenium. Nonetheless, Nature has deemed both essential for life and has found a way to exploit the subtle unique properties of selenium to include it in biochemistry despite its congener sulfur being 10,000 times more abundant. Selenium is more easily oxidized and it is kinetically more labile, so all selenium compounds could be considered to be "Reactive Selenium Compounds" relative to their sulfur analogues. What is furthermore remarkable is that one of the most reactive forms of selenium, hydrogen selenide (HSe- at physiologic pH), is proposed to be the starting point for the biosynthesis of selenium-containing molecules. This review contrasts the chemical properties of sulfur and selenium and critically assesses the role of hydrogen selenide in biological chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellye A Cupp-Sutton
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
| | - Michael T Ashby
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
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