[Influence of selenium supplement on cadmium metabolism in human]

38 subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups of 19 each. Group 1 consumed a selenium supplement (150 micrograms/d X 21) and Group 2 received only placebo(glucose). After supplementation, blood Se levels and plasma GSH-Px activities in Group 1 increased from 76 to 100 ng/ml (P less than 0.05) and 0.082 to 0.122 e.u./ml (P less than 0.01) respectively. All measured Se, GSH-Px values in Group 2, and high concentrations of lipid peroxides (greater than 4 nmol/ml as malonaldehyde) in both groups remained approximately the same. Se supplementation resulted in a marked decrease of RBC cadmium (Cd) from 32.3 to 25.4 micrograms/g Hb (P less than 0.001). Urinary and fecal Cd in 5 subjects of each group were analyzed every 4 days, and the results demonstrated that Cd was mainly excreted in feces after Se supplementation. One week after discontinuing of Se treatment, Cd content in urine and feces decreased to control levels. Theoretical evidence for chemoprevention of lung cancer with Se in this area was thus provided.