Decreased serum selenium in alcoholics--a consequence of liver dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Clinical Nutrition
• Hepatology

Background:

• Alcoholism is associated with various nutritional deficiencies.
• Selenium is an essential trace element with antioxidant properties.
• Liver function significantly impacts nutrient metabolism and homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum selenium concentrations in alcoholics with and without liver cirrhosis.
• To explore the relationship between serum selenium levels and markers of liver function and alcohol consumption.
• To compare selenium levels in alcoholic cirrhosis with other liver diseases and conditions.

Main Methods:

• Serum selenium levels were measured in non-cirrhotic alcoholics, cirrhotic alcoholics, healthy controls, patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, and patients with hypoalbuminemia of renal origin.
• Correlations between serum selenium and liver function parameters (albumin, prothrombin time, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) were analyzed.
• The effect of ethanol abstinence and acute alcohol intake on serum selenium was assessed.

Main Results:

• Serum selenium decreased by 17% in non-cirrhotic alcoholics and 48% in cirrhotic alcoholics compared to controls.
• Serum selenium positively correlated with albumin and prothrombin time, and inversely with bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in alcoholics.
• Serum selenium levels in primary biliary cirrhosis were similar to alcoholic cirrhotics, while normal in renal hypoalbuminemia.

Conclusions:

• Deterioration of liver function, regardless of cause, leads to decreased serum selenium levels.
• Alcohol-induced liver damage significantly impacts selenium status.
• Further research is needed to determine if impaired lipoperoxide removal contributes to reduced selenium in liver disease.