Selenium and inflammation: underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element crucial for antioxidant defense via selenoproteins.
• Evidence suggests Se benefits inflammatory and infectious diseases, including HIV and sepsis.
• Severe sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome involve oxidative stress and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of selenium.
• To evaluate selenium's role in modulating inflammatory response.
• To advocate for Se supplementation in inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on selenium's biochemical and cellular effects.
• Analysis of selenium's impact on inflammatory signaling pathways, including NF-kappaB.
• Examination of selenium's influence on inflammatory markers like CRP and L-selectin.

Main Results:

• Selenium may inhibit nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) activation, reducing inflammatory cytokine production.
• Se supplementation can restore depleted selenium levels, enhance selenoprotein biosynthesis, and suppress C-reactive protein (CRP) production.
• Selenium influences L-selectin shedding, potentially impacting sepsis mortality.

Conclusions:

• Selenium exerts anti-inflammatory effects through various mechanisms, including modulation of NF-kappaB and inflammatory markers.
• Se supplementation may be beneficial in managing inflammatory and infectious conditions.
• Further prospective, randomized, controlled studies are required to establish definitive evidence.