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[Selenium levels in erythrocytes of children with celiac disease]
Insights
Celiac children show lower selenium levels, impacting antioxidant enzyme function. Gluten-free diets improve selenium but not to normal levels, suggesting malabsorption and the need for supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Clinical Chemistry
Context:
- Celiac disease is associated with increased oxidative stress.
- Glutathione peroxidase, a key antioxidant enzyme, relies on selenium.
- Preliminary studies indicated reduced glutathione peroxidase activity in celiac children.
Purpose:
- To determine erythrocyte selenium levels in celiac children on different diets.
- To investigate the role of selenium malabsorption in oxidative stress in celiac disease.
Summary:
- Erythrocyte selenium content was measured using fluorimetry in 24 celiac children on gluten-containing diets and 25 on gluten-free diets.
- Selenium levels were significantly lower in celiac children compared to healthy controls, especially under gluten challenge.
- Gluten-free diets led to a slight increase in selenium levels, but they remained below physiological limits.
Impact:
- Findings suggest selenium malabsorption contributes to impaired antioxidant defense in childhood celiac disease.
- Highlights the potential need for selenium supplementation in celiac patients.
- Underscores the importance of trace element status in managing celiac disease complications.
Abstract:
Selenium is the component of the glutationperoxidase one of the most important enzymes in the antioxidant protection of the organism. In preliminary studies the authors found in celiac children increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and biochemical changes referring to decreased activity of glutationperoxidase enzyme. Therefore the selenium content of washed erythrocytes has been determined with fluorimetry in 24 celiac children kept on gluten containing diet and 25 on gluten-free diet. In gluten loading the selenium level was significantly lower than in the healthy control group. The selenium value rose at a small degree in the erythrocytes of celiac children kept on gluten-free diet but did not reach the lower limit of the physiological value. On the basis of these results the malabsorption of selenium was found to play also an important role in the decreased protecting capacity against oxidative stress effects in celiac diseases of childhood. The necessity of supplementing the trace element is raised.
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