[Modulatory properties of selenium in immune processes]

Selenium, administered in various forms, is promoted as an immunostimulating agent. However, the relationship between selenium status of the organism and the immune system is particularly complex. Taking into account the results obtained from various animal models it is now difficult to find the site or sites of selenium action on the immune system. It is not known whether selenium exerts effect on all or only on selected stages of immune response. The survey of literature which includes in vast majority experiments on various animals, shows that selenium is an immunostimulating agent only under certain conditions and in adequate concentration. Further studies have to be performed before selenium in the form of selenium yeast or in another form is a recognized immunostimulator and could be accepted for medical practice.