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Selenium, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and lipid peroxidation products before and after selenium supplementation
B C Wilke1, M Vidailhet, A Favier
1Faculté de Medecine, Hôpital Albert Michallon, Grenoble, France.
Insights
Treated phenylketonuria (PKU) children show lower selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase activity. Selenium supplementation effectively restored these levels, improving health outcomes in PKU children.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder requiring dietary management.
- Treated PKU children may face risks of micronutrient deficiencies, including selenium.
- Selenium is crucial for antioxidant defense systems, such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate selenium status and antioxidant enzyme activity in treated PKU children.
- To evaluate the efficacy of oral sodium selenite supplementation in correcting selenium deficiency and improving GSH-Px activity in PKU children.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study involving 15 treated PKU children and 30 control children.
- Measurement of plasma and erythrocyte selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity.
- Assessment of lipid peroxidation product, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA).
- Oral sodium selenite supplementation (0.13 mumol/kg/day) administered to PKU children.
Main Results:
- PKU children exhibited significantly lower plasma and erythrocyte selenium and GSH-Px activity compared to controls (P < 0.0005).
- Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation, were significantly higher in PKU children (P < 0.0005).
- Selenium supplementation rapidly increased plasma selenium and GSH-Px, normalizing differences with controls within 1 month.
- Erythrocyte selenium, erythrocyte GSH-Px, and plasma MDA normalized after 2, 4, and 6 months of supplementation, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Treated PKU children are at risk for selenium deficiency, impacting antioxidant status.
- Oral selenium supplementation is effective in restoring selenium levels and improving antioxidant function in PKU children.
- Regular monitoring and potential supplementation of selenium are recommended for children with PKU.
Abstract:
Treated phenylketonuric (PKU) children are at risk of selenium deficiency. We have studied 15 treated PKU children and 30 control children. We observed significantly lower (P less than 0.0005) plasma and erythrocyte selenium, as well as significantly lower (P less than 0.0005) plasma and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activities (GSH-Px) in PKU children than in controls. The lipid peroxidation products, evaluated as plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), was higher (P less than 0.0005) in PKU children than in controls. Specific oral sodium selenite supplementation (Selenium: 0.13 mumol/kg/day) resulted in a rapid increase of plasma selenium and GSH-Px activity, and after 10 days and 1 month respectively significant difference is no longer observed between PKU children and controls values. Statistically significant differences in erythrocyte selenium, erythrocyte GSH-Px activity and plasma MDA between PKU and control children disappear after respectively 2 months, 4 months and 6 months of selenium supplementation.