Discovery of Biomarkers That Reflect the Intake of Sodium Selenate by Nutritional Proteomics

Abstract

Selenium offers important health benefits, including the prevention of some types of cancer. The traditional selenium indexes, such as selenium concentration, do not account for the metabolic status of this element regarding its chemoprotective effect. Then, the knowledge of a group of proteins that respond to selenium supplementation could be useful in the assessment of the metabolic status of selenium. The effect of dietary supplementation of rats with sodium-selenate on the blood plasma proteome is investigated. A group composed of six rats is fed a basic diet supplemented with sodium-selenate at 1.9 microg of Selenium per g of food, and a control group is fed a diet that covers the minimum selenium requirements, each for ten weeks. A proteomic approach is used to both quantify the changes in the abundance of some plasmatic proteins and to identify them. Fibrinogen, apolipoproteins, haptoglobin, and transthyretin changed significantly their abundance due to selenium administration. Those proteins are indirectly related to selenium metabolism. Then, the change in the proteomic profile due to selenium supplementation could probably be considered as a new index to assess the metabolic status of selenium. This index might help in the prevention of some diseases by nutritional diagnosis and, consequently, the adequate dietary recommendation.

Trace elements and ageing, a genomic perspective using selenium as an example

“…Supplementation of rats with Se, as sodium selenate, altered levels of plasma proteins haptoglobin, apolipoprotein E, transthyretin and fibrinogen [59]. These proteins have been linked to age-related diseases including neurological and cardiovascular disorders [60][61][62].…”

Selenium in the prevention of human cancers

“…Furthermore, in order to monitor the selenium uptake and efficacy of chemical species administered, biomarkers shold be considered. By such biomarkers, the metabolic status could be followed at an individual level, thereby avoiding false conclusions [39]. …”

Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Proteomic Serum Biomarkers in Elderly Men

“…Mahn et al investigated the effect on proteome by supplementing rats with sodium-selenate (21). Six rats were fed a basic diet supplemented with sodium-selenate and a control group consisting of six rats was fed a diet that met the minimum selenium requirements for ten weeks.…”