Selenium and its supplementation in cardiovascular disease--what do we know?

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Selenium is an essential trace element vital for numerous metabolic and regulatory functions.
• Selenium and selenoproteins play key roles in antioxidant defense, inflammation regulation, and immune cell function.
• The precise role of selenium in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development and progression remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on the role of selenium and selenoproteins in human health.
• To elucidate the functional significance of selenium within the cardiovascular system.
• To examine the relationship between selenium status and cardiovascular outcomes, including cardiomyopathy and myocardial infarction.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of observational and interventional studies.
• Analysis of research on selenium's role in inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune response.
• Evaluation of selenium's biomarker potential in coronary heart disease (CHD).

Main Results:

• Selenium is integral to antioxidant defense, immune function, and inflammatory response regulation.
• Evidence linking selenium status to cardiovascular health, including cardiomyopathy and ischemia/reperfusion injury, is inconclusive.
• Selenium may serve as a biomarker in CHD and holds potential significance for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Conclusions:

• Balanced selenium levels are essential for overall health, impacting metabolic and regulatory processes.
• Further research is needed to clarify selenium's role in cardiovascular disease and the benefits of supplementation.
• Selenium status is relevant for understanding cardiac health and may inform therapeutic strategies in cardiac surgery patients.