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COVID-19 and Selenium Deficiency: a Systematic Review.
Mohammad Fakhrolmobasheri1, Sadegh Mazaheri-Tehrani2, Marek Kieliszek3
1Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center (Heart Failure Research Center), 81746-73461, Isfahan, Iran.
Biological Trace Element Research
|November 5, 2021
Summary
Selenium deficiency is linked to worse outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Lower selenium levels correlate with increased disease severity and mortality, suggesting supplementation may help prevent progression.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Selenium deficiency is implicated in various viral disorders.
- Existing research on selenium's role in COVID-19 outcomes presents conflicting findings.
- Understanding selenium's impact on COVID-19 severity is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the association between body selenium levels and COVID-19 outcomes.
- To clarify the relationship between selenium status and disease severity, mortality, and risk in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive systematic search was conducted across major scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library).
- Keywords included "SARS-CoV-2," "COVID-19," and "selenium."
- Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, assessing serum or urinary selenium levels and COVID-19 outcomes.
Main Results:
- Nine out of eleven studies found that lower serum selenium levels are associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes.
- Two studies reported no significant association between serum selenium levels and COVID-19.
- One study indicated higher urinary selenium levels in severe/fatal COVID-19 cases.
Conclusions:
- Most evidence suggests selenium deficiency is linked to poorer outcomes in COVID-19.
- Lower selenium levels in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy individuals were frequently observed.
- Cautious selenium supplementation might aid in preventing COVID-19 progression, pending confirmation by randomized clinical trials.
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