Related Experiment Videos
Plasma selenium in patients with cirrhosis
R F Burk1, D S Early, K E Hill
1Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|March 21, 1998
Summary
Patients with cirrhosis show decreased plasma selenium levels. However, increased glutathione peroxidase activity suggests they are not selenium deficient, challenging previous assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Nutrition
- Hepatology
Background:
- Plasma selenium concentration is reduced in cirrhosis patients, leading to the hypothesis of selenium deficiency.
- Selenoproteins are crucial indicators of selenium status and metabolic function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma selenium concentration and key selenoproteins (glutathione peroxidase and selenoprotein P) in patients with varying cirrhosis severity.
- To determine if cirrhosis patients exhibit true selenium deficiency despite reduced plasma selenium levels.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of plasma selenium concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx-3), and selenoprotein P in cirrhosis patients (Child classes A, B, C) and controls.
- Analysis of selenium levels in the non-selenoprotein pool.
Main Results:
- Plasma selenium and selenoprotein P concentrations decreased proportionally with cirrhosis severity (Child class).
- Plasma glutathione peroxidase activity increased in cirrhosis patients, with GSHPx-3 originating from the kidney.
- Selenium in the non-selenoprotein pool (selenomethionine in albumin) also declined.
Conclusions:
- Reduced plasma selenium in cirrhosis does not equate to selenium deficiency.
- Increased plasma glutathione peroxidase activity in cirrhosis patients indicates an adaptive response rather than deficiency.
- Liver function and kidney contribution influence selenoprotein levels in cirrhosis.