Hadrup N, Ravn-Haren G. Toxicity of repeated oral intake of organic selenium, inorganic selenium, and selenium nanoparticles: A review.
J Trace Elem Med Biol 2023;
79:127235. [PMID:
37285631 DOI:
10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127235]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
To protect from toxicity at supra-essential doses of selenium, it is important to determine dose levels at which adverse effects occur.
METHODS
We identified relevant literature on the repeated dosage of selenium and extracted dose descriptors on reported endpoints, except on genotoxicity/carcinogenicity.
RESULTS
Selenium forms with toxicological data were organic ones: selenomethionine, selenocystine/selenocysteine; and inorganic ones, including selenite (SeO32-), selenate (SeO42-), selenium sulphide (SeS2), selenide (Se2-) and selenium nanoparticles. Clinical signs of selenium toxicity in humans include a garlicky-smelling breath, hair loss, and nail changes. One human study showed increased mortality following daily ingestion of 300 µg Se per day for 5 years, equal to a lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) of ∼4.3 µg/kg bw/days. The corresponding no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was ∼2.9 µg Se/kg bw/day. One study reported an increased risk of type 2 diabetes after ∼2.9 µg Se/kg bw/day, but other studies with similar doses found no increases in mortality or incidence of type 2 diabetes. NOAELs on affected body weight in animal studies were 0.24-1.2 mg Se/kg bw/day. Other endpoints of selenium toxicity in animals include hepatotoxicity with a NOAEL as low as 2 µg/kg bw/day in rats, as well as gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and reproductive toxicities with NOAELs of 0.6 (gastrointestinal), 0.08, and 0.4 (cardiovascular) and ≥ 0.04 mg Se/kg bw/day (reproductive), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Dose descriptors describing selenium toxicity were as low as 2-3 µg Se/kg bw/day.
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