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Selenium Status in Paediatric Patients with Neurodevelopmental Diseases
Christian L Görlich1,2, Qian Sun1, Viola Roggenkamp2
1Institute for Experimental Endocrinology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Nutrients
|June 24, 2022
Summary
Selenium (Se) and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) deficiencies may impact neurodevelopmental diseases in children. Reduced SELENOP was linked to intellectual disability, while GPX3 activity was low in phacomatoses.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Neurodevelopmental diseases often involve comorbidities like inflammation, potentially affecting trace element (TE) status.
- Selenium (Se) is crucial for selenoproteins, including selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), vital for neuronal function.
- SELENOP deficiency in mice caused impaired growth, neuronal development issues, and seizures, suggesting a role in neurodevelopment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Se and SELENOP deficiencies in pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental diseases.
- To explore the association between TE status (Se, copper, zinc) and specific neurodevelopmental conditions.
- To analyze biomarkers SELENOP, ceruloplasmin (CP), and GPX3 activity in relation to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study analyzing serum samples from 147 children with neurodevelopmental diseases.
- Measured total serum Se, copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) concentrations.
- Assessed serum SELENOP concentrations and GPX3 activity, and tested for anti-SELENOP autoantibodies.
Main Results:
- Children with epilepsy showed elevated Cu and Zn but no altered Se status.
- Significantly reduced SELENOP concentrations were associated with intellectual disability (p=0.015).
- Lower GPX3 activity was observed in phacomatoses (p=0.012). No anti-SELENOP autoantibodies were detected.
Conclusions:
- No general association between Se deficiency and epilepsy was found, but SELENOP sufficiency appears important for mental development.
- Decreased GPX3 activity in phacomatoses warrants further investigation for its role in skin lesions.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the relevance of TE status to disease progression and potential benefits of TE correction.
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