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Blood selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity
1University Unit of Chemical Pathology and Human Metabolism, Southampton General Hospital.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Children on protein-restricted diets for phenylketonuria have lower blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity. Supplementing selenium in therapeutic diets is recommended to prevent potential long-term harm.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Selenium is an essential trace element crucial for antioxidant defense via glutathione peroxidase (GPx).
- Dietary protein restriction is a cornerstone therapy for phenylketonuria (PKU) and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA).
- The impact of protein-restricted diets on selenium status in pediatric patients is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare blood selenium concentrations and GPx activity in children with and without metabolic disorders on specific diets.
- To determine the relationship between blood selenium levels, GPx activity, and age in healthy children.
- To assess the association between selenium status and GPx activity in pediatric patients with PKU/HPA on low-protein diets.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing two groups: healthy children on normal diets (Group 1) and pediatric patients with PKU/HPA on protein-restricted diets (Group 2).
- Measurement of blood selenium concentrations and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity.
- Statistical analysis to determine correlations between selenium, GPx, age, and dietary protein intake.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation between blood selenium concentration and age was observed in healthy children up to 10 years.
- Pediatric patients on protein-restricted diets (Group 2) exhibited significantly lower blood selenium concentrations and GPx activities compared to controls.
- A strong association between blood selenium levels and GPx activity was evident, particularly when selenium concentrations were below 1.26 mumol/l.
Conclusions:
- Protein-restricted diets in pediatric PKU/HPA patients are associated with reduced selenium status and GPx activity.
- Lowered GPx activity due to selenium deficiency may pose long-term health risks.
- Supplementation with selenium in therapeutic diets for PKU/HPA is recommended to maintain adequate antioxidant status.