Benefits of Selenium Supplementation on Leukocyte DNA Integrity Interact with Dietary Micronutrients: A Short Communication

Role of selenium in type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and insulin secretion

Selenium is a trace mineral essential for life that acts physiologically through selenoproteins. Among other actions, the endogenous antioxidant selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase and the selenium transporter in blood, selenoprotein P, seem to play an important role in type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance by weakening the insulin signaling cascade through different mechanisms. Recent findings also suggest that selenoproteins also affect insulin biosynthesis and insulin secretion. This review discussed the role of selenium in type 2 diabetes and the complex interplay between selenoproteins and insulin pathways.

Zinc in Prostate Health and Disease: A Mini Review

Introduction-With the high global prevalence of prostate cancer and associated mortalities, it is important to enhance current clinical practices for better prostate cancer outcomes. The current review is towards understanding the value of Zn towards this mission. Method-General information on Zn in biology and multiple aspects of Zn involvement in prostate health and disease were referred to in PubMed. Results-The most influential feature of Zn towards prostate health is its ability to retain sufficient citrate levels for a healthy prostate. Zn deficiencies were recorded in serum, hair, and prostate tissue of men with prostate cancer compared to non-cancer controls. Zn gut absorption, albumin binding, and storage compete with various factors. There are multiple associations of Zn cellular influx and efflux transporters, Zn finger proteins, matrix metalloproteinases, and Zn signaling with prostate cancer outcomes. Such Zn marker variations associated with prostate cancer recorded from biological matrices may improve algorithms for prostate cancer screening, prognosis, and management when coupled with standard clinical practices. Discussion-The influence of Zn in prostatic health and disease is multidimensional, therefore more personalized Zn requirements may be beneficial. Several opportunities exist to utilize and improve understanding of Zn associations with prostate health and disease.

Selenium Supplementation and Prostate Health in a New Zealand Cohort

Background: There is variable reporting on the benefits of a 200 μg/d selenium supplementation towards reducing prostate cancer impacts. The current analysis is to understand whether stratified groups receive supplementation benefits on prostate health. Methods: 572 men were supplemented with 200 µg/d selenium as selinized yeast for six months, and 481 completed the protocol. Selenium and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were measured in serum at pre- and post-supplementation. Changes in selenium and PSA levels subsequent to supplementation were assessed with and without demographic, lifestyle, genetic and dietary stratifications. Results: The post-supplementation selenium (p = 0.002) and the gain in selenium (p < 0.0001) by supplementation were significantly dependent on the baseline selenium level. Overall, there was no significant correlation between changes in PSA and changes in selenium levels by supplementation. However, stratified analyses showed a significant inverse correlation between changes in PSA and changes in selenium in men below the median age (p = 0.048), never-smokers (p = 0.031), men carrying the GPX1 rs1050450 T allele (CT, p = 0.022 and TT, p = 0.011), dietary intakes above the recommended daily intake (RDI) for zinc (p < 0.05), and below the RDI for vitamin B12 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The current analysis shows the influence of life factors on prostate health benefits of supplemental selenium.

Products of Sulfide/Selenite Interaction Possess Antioxidant Properties, Scavenge Superoxide-Derived Radicals, React with DNA, and Modulate Blood Pressure and Tension of Isolated Thoracic Aorta

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), an endogenously produced signalling molecule, affect many physiological and pathological processes. However, the biological effects of their mutual interaction have not yet been investigated. Herein, we have studied the biological and antioxidant effects of the products of the H₂S (Na₂S)/selenite (Na₂SeO₃) interaction. As detected by the UV-VIS and EPR spectroscopy, the product(s) of the H₂S-Na₂SeO₃ and H₂S-SeCl₄ interaction scavenged superoxide-derived radicals and reduced ^·cPTIO radical depending on the molar ratio and the preincubation time of the applied interaction mixture. The results confirmed that the transient species are formed rapidly during the interaction and exhibit a noteworthy biological activity. In contrast to H₂S or selenite acting on their own, the H₂S/selenite mixture cleaved DNA in a bell-shaped manner. Interestingly, selenite protected DNA from the cleavage induced by the products of H₂S/H₂O₂ interaction. The relaxation effect of H₂S on isolated thoracic aorta was eliminated when the H₂S/selenite mixture was applied. The mixture inhibited the H₂S biphasic effect on rat systolic and pulse blood pressure. The results point to the antioxidant properties of products of the H₂S/selenite interaction and their effect to react with DNA and influence cardiovascular homeostasis. The effects of the products may contribute to explain some of the biological effects of H₂S and/or selenite, and they may imply that a suitable H₂S/selenite supplement might have a beneficial effect in pathological conditions arisen, e.g., from oxidative stress.

Dietary Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes: How Millet Comes to Help

Diabetes has become a highly problematic and increasingly prevalent disease world-wide. It has contributed toward 1.5 million deaths in 2012. Management techniques for diabetes prevention in high-risk as well as in affected individuals, beside medication, are mainly through changes in lifestyle and dietary regulation. Particularly, diet can have a great influence on life quality for those that suffer from, as well as those at risk of, diabetes. As such, considerations on nutritional aspects are required to be made to include in dietary intervention. This review aims to give an overview on the general consensus of current dietary and nutritional recommendation for diabetics. In light of such recommendation, the use of plant breeding, conventional as well as more recently developed molecular marker-based breeding and biofortification, are discussed in designing crops with desired characteristics. While there are various recommendations available, dietary choices are restricted by availability due to geo-, political-, or economical- considerations. This particularly holds true for countries such as India, where 65 million people (up from 50 million in 2010) are currently diabetic and their numbers are rising at an alarming rate. Millets are one of the most abundant crops grown in India as well as in Africa, providing a staple food source for many poorest of the poor communities in these countries. The potentials of millets as a dietary component to combat the increasing prevalence of global diabetes are highlighted in this review.