[Importance of selenium homeostasis in chronic and end-stage kidney diseases]

Selenium is an essential trace element for the human body with a significant antioxidant effect. Selenium deficiency and excess are both detrimental for proper functioning of the human body. The possible association between selenium deficiency and acute or chronic renal disease, along with their complications has been less intensively investigated, however, there are firm data showing that selenium deficiency and renal failure increase the risk of both coronary artery disease and total mortality. Further studies revealed that selenium deficiency increases the risk of death due to infection in patients treated with hemodialysis through dysfunction of the immune system. However, there are no data whether the imbalance of selenium metabolism, especially selenium deficiency, could cause chronic kidney disease or renal failure. As far as results of selenium measurements, there is convincing evidence that protein loss and renal replacement treatment reduce serum selenium levels. Despite some contradictory results obtained from various studies regarding selenium deficiency in chronic kidney diseases, it seems that selenium supplementation may be beneficial in many patients with severe or end-stage kidney disease including those treated with dialysis.

[Mineral content of some herbs and plant extracts with anti-inflammatory effect used in gastrointestinal diseases]

INTRODUCTION

In gastrointestinal diseases folk medicine usually recommends herbs and teas with antiinflammatory activities, especially mucilage and bitter agent containing plants. The use of stomatics as adjuvant therapy in medical practice is frequent.

AIM

The authors explored the mineral element content of some herbs, because mineral elements may have significant role in the development and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, and a close connection between the presence or absence of mineral elements and inflammatory mediators was noted.

METHODS

The mineral content in Trigonellae foenugraeci semen, Farfarae folium et flos, Taraxaci radix and Cichorii radix and teas prepared from these herbs was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The results were evaluated from nutritional and biomedical points of view.

RESULTS

Farfarae folium et flos tea was found to be a rich source of calcium, chromium, manganese and molybdenum. Trigonellae foenugraeci semen, Taraxaci radix and Cichorii radix displayed favourable calcium to magnesium ratio (1-1.5) and they contained other elements (manganese, iron, copper, zinc) which may have significant role in the immune defence system.

CONCLUSION

The beneficial therapeutic effect of the studied herbs may be related to their mineral element content.