Plasma Selenium Concentrations Are Sufficient and Associated with Protease Inhibitor Use in Treated HIV-Infected Adults

Comparison of Serum and Dietary Selenium Levels in Participants with a Positive History of Recurrent Herpes Lesions and Healthy Individuals

Aim

In this study, we aimed to compare the level of serum and dietary selenium in participants with a positive history of recurrent herpes labial lesions and healthy controls.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional study, conducted during 2020-2021, evaluated the selenium serum level of 40 participants with a positive history of recurrent herpes labial lesions who had referred to Motahhari Laboratory in Shiraz, compared with 38 healthy controls. The selenium level of the serum was assessed by an absorption device, Atomic Graphite Furnace Model FS-240-AAS, made by a US Company. Independent T-test was used to compare the selenium level of males and females. In order to assess the mean age value and gender distribution between the two evaluated groups, the independent T-test and chi-square test were used, respectively. The serum selenium level was compered between both control and test groups.

Results

The level of serum selenium was not statistically correlated with its dietary level in group 1 (participants with recurrent herpes labialis, P value = 0.18) and group 2 (healthy controls, P value = 0.6). The serum selenium level was compared between groups 1 and 2, which was significantly higher in healthy controls (P value < 0.0001). In contrast, dietary selenium level was not significantly different between patients with a history of herpes labialis and healthy controls (P value = 0.48). The level of serum selenium was not statistically correlated with its dietary level in group 1 (P value = 0.18) and group 2 (P value = 0.6).

Conclusion

Patients with recurrent herpes labialis had lower serum selenium level as compared to the healthy controls.

Nutrition in HIV-Infected Infants and Children: Current Knowledge, Existing Challenges, and New Dietary Management Opportunities

HIV infection and undernutrition remain significant public health concerns for infants and children. In infants and children under these conditions, undernutrition is one of the leading causes of death. Proper management of nutrition and related nutrition complications in these groups with increased nutrition needs are prominent challenges, particularly in HIV-prevalent poor-resource environments. Several studies support the complexity of the relation between HIV infection, nutrition, and the immune system. These elements interact and create a vicious circle of poor health outcomes. Recent studies on the use of probiotics as a novel approach to manage microbiome imbalance and gut-mucosal impairment in HIV infection are gaining attention. This new strategy could help to manage dysbiosis and gut-mucosal impairment by reducing immune activation, thereby potentially forestalling unwanted health outcomes in children with HIV. However, existing trials on HIV-infected children are still insufficient. There are also conflicting reports on the dosage and effectiveness of single or multiple micronutrient supplementation in the survival of HIV-infected children with severe acute malnutrition. The WHO has published guidelines that include time of initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-pregnant mothers and their HIV-exposed or HIV-infected children, micronutrient supplementation, dietary formulations, prevention, and management of HIV therapy. However, such guidelines need to be reviewed owing to recent advances in the field of nutrition. There is a need for new intervention studies, practical strategies, and evidence-based guidelines to reduce the disease burden, improve adherence to treatment regimen, and enhance the nutrition, health, and well-being of HIV-infected infants and children. This review provides up-to-date scientific information on current knowledge and existing challenges for nutrition therapy in HIV-infected infants and children. Moreover, it presents new research findings that could be incorporated into current guidelines.

Micronutrients, Metabolic Complications, and Inflammation in Ugandan Children With HIV

BACKGROUND

Selenium, zinc, and chromium are essential micronutrients. Their alterations have been associated with HIV disease progression, metabolic complications, and mortality.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study in children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV, n = 57), HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU, n = 59), and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HIV-, n = 56) children aged 2 to 10 years old, age- and sex-matched, enrolled in Uganda. PHIV were on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) with undetectable viral load. We measured plasma concentrations of selenium, zinc, and chromium as well as markers of systemic inflammation, monocyte activation, and gut integrity.

RESULTS

Among PHIV children, 93% had viral load ≤20 copies/mL, median CD4 was 37%, and 77% were receiving a nonnucleotide reserve transcriptase regimen. Median age of all participants was 8 years and 55% were girls. Median selenium concentrations were higher in PHIV compared with the HEU and HIV groups (P < 0.001), 46% of children overall had low zinc status (P = 0.18 between groups). Higher selenium, but not chromium or zinc, was associated with lower IL6, sTNFRI and II, and higher beta d glucan, a marker of fungal translocation, zonulin, a marker of gut permeability, oxidized LDL and insulin resistance (P ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of PHIV on ART in Uganda, there is a high prevalence of low zinc status overall. Higher plasma selenium concentrations were associated with lower systemic inflammation and higher gut integrity markers. Although our findings do not support the use of micronutrient supplementation broadly for PHIV in Uganda, further studies are warranted to assess the role of selenium supplements in attenuating heightened inflammation.

Micronutrients, Metabolic Complications, and Inflammation in Ugandan Children With HIV

BACKGROUND

Selenium, zinc, and chromium are essential micronutrients. Their alterations have been associated with HIV disease progression, metabolic complications, and mortality.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study in children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV, n = 57), HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU, n = 59), and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HIV-, n = 56) children aged 2 to 10 years old, age- and sex-matched, enrolled in Uganda. PHIV were on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) with undetectable viral load. We measured plasma concentrations of selenium, zinc, and chromium as well as markers of systemic inflammation, monocyte activation, and gut integrity.

RESULTS

Among PHIV children, 93% had viral load ≤20 copies/mL, median CD4 was 37%, and 77% were receiving a nonnucleotide reserve transcriptase regimen. Median age of all participants was 8 years and 55% were girls. Median selenium concentrations were higher in PHIV compared with the HEU and HIV groups (P < 0.001), 46% of children overall had low zinc status (P = 0.18 between groups). Higher selenium, but not chromium or zinc, was associated with lower IL6, sTNFRI and II, and higher beta d glucan, a marker of fungal translocation, zonulin, a marker of gut permeability, oxidized LDL and insulin resistance (P ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of PHIV on ART in Uganda, there is a high prevalence of low zinc status overall. Higher plasma selenium concentrations were associated with lower systemic inflammation and higher gut integrity markers. Although our findings do not support the use of micronutrient supplementation broadly for PHIV in Uganda, further studies are warranted to assess the role of selenium supplements in attenuating heightened inflammation.

Se-Enriched Cordyceps militaris Inhibits Cell Proliferation, Induces Cell Apoptosis, And Causes G2/M Phase Arrest In Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Background

The anticancer effects of cordyceps on various tumors have been reported. However, little is known about the role of selenium (Se)-enriched Cordyceps militaris in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, the effects of Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris on cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and cell cycle in NSCLC cell line NCI-H292 and A549 were investigated.

Methods

CCK-8 assay was used to determine the appropriate concentrations of Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris in NSCLC (namely NCI-H292 and A549) cells. Colony formation assay, flow cytometric and Hoechst 33342 staining assays, and flow cytometric analysis were separately employed to assess the effect of increased Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris on NSCLC cell viability, cell apoptosis and cell-cycle distribution. Finally, the qPCR and Western blot assays were, respectively, applied to evaluate the effects of Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris on the expression of pro-apoptotic member BAX and the anti-apoptotic member BCL-2, as well as of G2/M cell cycle regulatory proteins CDK1 and cyclin B1.

Results

The concentration of Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris was 0, 4, 8, 12 mg/mL for NCI-H292 cells, and 0, 12.5, 25, 50 mg/mL for A549 cells. NSCLC cells treated with increased Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris showed the inhibited cell viability. Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris induced NSCLC cell apoptosis in concentration-dependent manner. Consistently, Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris diminished the ratio of anti-apoptotic member BCL-2 and pro-apoptotic member BAX at mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC cells. The percentage in G2/M phase was increased in NSCLC cells treated with increased Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris. Downregulation of G2/M cell cycle regulatory proteins CDK1 and cyclin B1 at mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC cells further confirmed the effects of Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris on cell cycle.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the inhibitory role of Se-enriched Cordyceps militaris in cell proliferation and its facilitating role in cell apoptosis and cell cycle in NSCLC cells, suggesting an alternative therapeutic strategy for NSCLC treatment.

Selenium, Selenoproteins and Viral Infection

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are frequently produced during viral infections. Generation of these ROS can be both beneficial and detrimental for many cellular functions. When overwhelming the antioxidant defense system, the excess of ROS induces oxidative stress. Viral infections lead to diseases characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms, with oxidative stress being one of their hallmarks. In many cases, ROS can, in turn, enhance viral replication leading to an amplification loop. Another important parameter for viral replication and pathogenicity is the nutritional status of the host. Viral infection simultaneously increases the demand for micronutrients and causes their loss, which leads to a deficiency that can be compensated by micronutrient supplementation. Among the nutrients implicated in viral infection, selenium (Se) has an important role in antioxidant defense, redox signaling and redox homeostasis. Most of biological activities of selenium is performed through its incorporation as a rare amino acid selenocysteine in the essential family of selenoproteins. Selenium deficiency, which is the main regulator of selenoprotein expression, has been associated with the pathogenicity of several viruses. In addition, several selenoprotein members, including glutathione peroxidases (GPX), thioredoxin reductases (TXNRD) seemed important in different models of viral replication. Finally, the formal identification of viral selenoproteins in the genome of molluscum contagiosum and fowlpox viruses demonstrated the importance of selenoproteins in viral cycle.

Serum and Urinary Selenium Status in Patients with the Pre-diabetes and Diabetes in Northeast China

Homeostasis imbalance of selenium (Se) in diabetes has received great attention. This study investigated serum and urinary Se levels in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), type 1 diabetes (T1D), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Northeast Chinese populations. From January 2010 to October 2011, patients with IFG (n = 12), IGT (n = 15), T1D (n = 25), T2D (n = 137), and healthy controls (n = 50) were enrolled in the First Hospital of Jilin University. Se was detected using inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. The serum Se level was dramatically lower in patients with T1D and was significantly higher in IFG subjects, and the urinary Se concentration was markedly lower in IGT and T2D groups. The serum Se levels were positively correlated with serum zinc (Zn) in both IFG and IGT groups, while urinary Se were positively associated with urinary Zn and copper (Cu) in IGT group. The serum Se levels were positively correlated with serum Cu in both T1D and T2D groups, and urinary levels of Se were positively associated with serum zinc and urinary Cu, Zn, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) and negatively correlated with serum Ca and Mg in T2D group, while the urinary levels of Se were positively correlated with urinary Zn and Mg both in peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and retinopathy (DR) groups. One month of simvastatin therapy reduced serum Se levels. These results suggest the potential role of Se in diabetes should receive attention.

Selenium, Selenoproteins, and Immunity

Selenium is an essential micronutrient that plays a crucial role in development and a wide variety of physiological processes including effect immune responses. The immune system relies on adequate dietary selenium intake and this nutrient exerts its biological effects mostly through its incorporation into selenoproteins. The selenoproteome contains 25 members in humans that exhibit a wide variety of functions. The development of high-throughput omic approaches and novel bioinformatics tools has led to new insights regarding the effects of selenium and selenoproteins in human immuno-biology. Equally important are the innovative experimental systems that have emerged to interrogate molecular mechanisms underlying those effects. This review presents a summary of the current understanding of the role of selenium and selenoproteins in regulating immune cell functions and how dysregulation of these processes may lead to inflammation or immune-related diseases.

Influence of HIV infection and the use of antiretroviral therapy on selenium and selenomethionine concentrations and antioxidant protection

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) use are associated with oxidative stress, concentrations of selenium and selenomethionine, and antioxidant protection.

METHODS

Individuals were classified as HIV negatives: control group (CG; n = 40); HIV positives: group 1 (G1; taking ART for >5 y, n = 40) and group 2 (G2; taking ART for <5 y, n = 40). Plasma and erythrocyte selenium, selenomethionine, glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase activity (GPX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Selenium deficiency (plasma selenium 45 μg/L) was not observed in any of the participants, and plasma selenium in CG (69.4 μg/L) was lower than in G1 and G2 (88.4 and 72.5 μg/L, respectively). G1 and G2 showed higher concentrations of MDA and GPX and lower concentration of GSH than CG. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated an association of MDA, GPX, and GSH with HIV status. CG participants showed higher concentrations of selenomethionine than G1 and G2 individuals and we observed a significant negative correlation between the concentration of selenomethionine and the use of ART.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged ART use seems to increase the selenium in plasma, but influences the reduction of selenomethionine. HIV infection was associated with increased oxidative stress and appears to affect in protective activity of GPX. Finally, more studies are required to further address the importance of selenium and selenometabolites in the pathogenesis of infection and metabolism of HIV-positive individuals in prolonged use of ART.