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Selenium and selenium-antagonistic elements in nutritional cancer prevention.
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. gschrauzer@ucsd.edu
Critical Reviews in Biotechnology
|June 12, 2009
Summary
Selenium is a vital trace element with cancer-protective properties. Its effectiveness against cancer is influenced by interactions with other elements, highlighting the need to consider these interactions for optimal health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Environmental Health
- Oncology
Background:
- Selenium is an essential trace element with significant antioxidative, antimutagenic, antiviral, and anticarcinogenic properties.
- Dietary selenium intake is suboptimal in many global populations, suggesting potential benefits from supplementation or food fortification for cancer mortality reduction.
- Selenium interacts with numerous other elements (e.g., Cadmium, Arsenic, Chromium, Zinc), influencing its biological activity and detoxification roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complex interactions between selenium and other environmental elements.
- To understand how these interactions affect selenium's cancer-protective properties.
- To elucidate the role of element interactions in human cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing epidemiological, ecological, and case-control studies.
- Analysis of experimental data from animal studies on element exposure and cancer.
- Examination of the reciprocal relationships between selenium and antagonistic elements in various cancer types.
Main Results:
- Chronic exposure to certain elements (e.g., Cadmium, Arsenic, Chromium) can abolish selenium's cancer-protective effects.
- Specific elements are linked to increased cancer risk: Cadmium for prostate cancer, Cadmium/Chromium/Zinc for breast cancer.
- Complex interactions between selenium and elements like Cadmium, Arsenic, and Chromium are crucial in bronchial cancer among smelter workers.
Conclusions:
- Selenium is a key trace element for cancer protection, but its efficacy is modulated by interactions with other elements.
- Understanding these antagonistic element effects is essential for interpreting selenium's mode of action.
- Public health strategies involving selenium should consider environmental and dietary co-exposures to optimize cancer prevention.
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